Article: Youths risk death in train surf internet boast

[ozbob]

The amount of damage due to graffiti and glass scratching and other abuse of property is a major issue.  It would be good to turn this around, endear a sense of community ownership in the the public transport asset, trains buses and ferries!  I think this must start at primary school level. Family tickets were one way of encouraging public transport travel early, and perhaps help form connections that public transport is the community's asset and should be respected as for all property.

Railways have always tended to attract this sort of behaviour, education and preventive programs must be stepped up.


From the Sunday Mail click here!

Youths risk death in train surf internet boast

Youths risk death in train surf internet boast
Article from: The Sunday Mail (Qld)

Sarah Vogler

September 21, 2008 12:00am

IMAGES of youths train-surfing on Queensland Rail trains from a home-made video are dramatic proof that some thrill-seeking teenagers are dodging security and risking their lives.

The hour-long train-surfing movie was posted on the internet late last month by a group boasting that they were "reclaiming the streets".

The video, which includes images of youths painting graffiti on rail carriages, has since been watched and downloaded by thousands of people across the globe.

Logos on carriages and stations show it is in Queensland, while the surrounds indicate it is probably the Brisbane suburban network.

The most dramatic scene is when a youth waits for disembarking passengers to leave the platform before jumping on to the back of a train just as it departs the station.

He crouches down and holds on to a thin piece of metal on the back of the train before turning and raising his finger to the cameraman.

The train then speeds out of the station with the youth clinging on for his life.

The footage has shocked QR officials and police, who say they've stepped up efforts to crack down on vandalism and violence on the rail network.

Police Minister Judy Spence said officers were working to identify those in the video and had started to compare the images with others obtained from QR's closed-circuit cameras at various stations.

"Sensationalising this type of behaviour by filming and creating movies sends the wrong message to young people," Ms Spence said.

QR passenger executive general manager Paul Scurrah said train-surfers not only risked falling from a moving locomotive, but could also be electrocuted by the railways' high voltage system.

"QR is horrified by the crazy practice of people riding illegally on the outside of wagons and carriages," he said.

Fatalities in recent times have been linked to train-surfing ? a teen on the North Coast line last year fell from the outside of a moving train, and a 20-year-old was found atop a Victorian train, possibly electrocuted.

The DVD, is by a group called the "AEROHOLiCS" and they boast a sequel will be posted online soon. "We'll be back," they say.

But the end of the film suggests they have already tasted tragedy as a line on the credits says: "This movie is dedicated to Jeeps. RIP."

[Derwan]

Interesting comment by Danny Pares this morning:

the picyute is about ten years old, so is the story. kids havent been able to hold on to the back for years. QR took the back rail off all the city trains and covered the back and front platforms with a fiberglass ferring. Who let this old story slip through

[kw]

I was on the ARHS Toowoomba steam train on saturday, as we were returning to Brisbane we passed through Milton at about 7:20pm. An idiot tried to jump onto the carriage veranda I was on. He misjudged and fell back onto the platform. Everyone who saw couldn't believe it. He got back up and seemed ok, but he thought he was pretty clever. You've gotta wonder about some people. 

[ozbob]

Was fortunate the fool was not injured ...

I can recall returning from a trip to Yarraman in the 80s, the tour commenced and finished at Ipswich and there was a special EMU to and from Ipswich to the City.  On they way home, fairly late the special EMU slowed at a station just out of Ipswich and some youths trying to climb aboard the train as it passed slowly through the station.  No serious injuries but it could well have been. From a fading memory I think the train was stopped and staff cautioned those concerned.

What worries me a little is that the latest publicity in the CM might encourage some people to try something rather stupid and dangerous ...

[yobborobbo21]

What worries me a little is that the latest publicity in the CM might encourage some people to try something rather stupid and dangerous ...

And its also school holiday season which means graffiti will be at its peak as the school kiddies will try and out do the adults!

[QRIG]

Interesting comment by Danny Pares this morning:

the picyute is about ten years old, so is the story. kids havent been able to hold on to the back for years. QR took the back rail off all the city trains and covered the back and front platforms with a fiberglass ferring. Who let this old story slip through

Not quite the case, EMU44 is still un'refurbed.

[QRIG]

yobborobbo21: Spot on, counted a number of trains this morning with tags and fill-ins unfortunately.