In the sweltering heat of summer, surfing is an activity that many look forward to. There are many types of surfing, but one genre that has gone viral in recent months is as risky as it sounds. Yes, we’re talking about the deadly craze of train or subway surfing, which has spread because of social media and encourages its followers to behave recklessly. Despite the many tragedies that have resulted from this trend, its adherents refuse to give it up.
When 9News Sydney shared a video on their social media, it quickly went viral, racking up more than 9,000 views. The video depicts a youngster risking his life on Sydney’s rail lines overnight, disrupting service so severely that officials had to crack down on the increasingly common practice of train surfing.
The absurd genre of surfing causes a complete mess
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A typical Friday night crowd rode the Sydney metro around 11 p.m. Some of the usual spectators, however, got an unpleasant shock when they saw a youngster train surfing on a railway carriage. The child was caught on camera by perplexed onlookers as the train left St. Leonards Station in Sydney while doing his infamous performance. Once he was discovered, officials acted swiftly to prevent further disruption to railway services by ordering the train to come to a complete stop.
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People on their way home from work were understandably frustrated when train service was temporarily suspended. Matt Longland, CEO of Sydney Trains, also addressed the event and the ridiculous trends around it. The trains, he added, weighed 400 tons and could reach speeds of 69 miles per hour. According to Longland, train surfers are “risking their lives” by engaging in such behavior since a sudden change in speed or braking might send them tumbling into the tracks, resulting in serious injury or even death.
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A teenager has diced with death on Sydney's rail lines overnight.
The dangerous train surfing stunt was filmed at St Leonards station, with services forced to stop once the boy was spotted.
MORE: https://t.co/wRkPr0zLoi#9News pic.twitter.com/dv3JGziwRn
— 9News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) June 17, 2023
According to 9News, the CEO of Sydney Trains also said that 11 people have died as a result of “illegal trespassing” during the course of the previous five years. Using the hundreds of CCTV cameras installed throughout train routes, the group is now collaborating with the NSW Police to apprehend the people responsible for these reckless stunts. Passengers who see unlawful activity are encouraged to utilize the station’s designated assistance points and report it to the station guard, who may impose fines of up to $5500 for trespassing.
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Officials are taking strong measures to put a halt to these behaviors, but it is ultimately up to citizens to use good judgment and steer clear of anything that can put their lives in danger.
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