Train-surfing in UK

[John Ashworth]

Teenagers 'surf' trains at Accrington Railway Station

11:00am Tuesday 14th February 2012 in
The Citizen

RECKLESS teenagers are risking their lives by ‘surfing’ on moving trains.

The youngsters have been jumping onto the outside of trains as they leave Accrington Railway Station and hanging on for as long as possible.

Police described their actions as ‘mindless’ and urged others not to use the railway ‘as a playground’.

Shocking pictures show the gang of up to six 15-18 year olds hanging from a grip rail on the carriage door as the train left the station and ‘surfing’ the length of the platform.

The train was forced to stop and the youths ran from the station after being told to leave by staff.

Now British Transport Police are warning potential copycats that one slip could lead to death.

A spokesman said: “There is always potential for others to copy the actions of these youths, but we would strongly advise them not to do so as train surfing is both dangerous and a criminal offence.”

The footage was captured by a CCTV camera on a local supermarket. It is the first time the activity has been recorded in the north west.

PC John Phillips said: “It is hard to believe that anyone could be so mindless as to try to surf off the side of a train.

“Whilst they seem to have no care for their own safety, they are clearly risking their lives as it would only take a minor slip for them to fall between the train and the platform.

“If the danger isn’t a deterrent then I hope the threat of police action might be.

“Those who survive this type of incident can rest assured that British Transport Police will do everything possible to trace them and put them before the courts.

“We simply will not tolerate any behaviour which puts lives at risk. The railway is not a playground and should not be treated as such.”

The group, who were all white, were wearing hoodies at the time.

PC Phillips said: “I am now calling on anyone who recognises the men pictured to come forward.

“This is a serious offence and I will continue to investigate until they are located.”

BTP said ‘train surfing’ had occurred ‘sporadically’ across the country.

The craze is thought to have started in Soweto, South Africa, where young men have been filmed train surfing to avoid paying train fares.

It has also spread to Russia, where it was described as an ‘extreme and illegal sport’. Some young people even climbed on to the top of trains.

In 2004, a 14-year-old boy had both legs amputated after falling while trying to surf on the side of a moving freight train in Northwich, Cheshire.