Toronto police warn against ‘train surfing’ after teen falls from roof of moving train

Police and Metrolinx are warning about “train surfing” after a 15-year-old boy fell off the top of a moving GO train in Toronto.

Train surfing is when someone rides on the top of a train and officials say, don’t do it.

Toronto police says the boy is still in life-threatening condition in the hospital. And while Metrolinx says this is rare, police say one incident is too many.

The incident happened early Sunday morning on board the Lakeshore East line from Union Station.

“It was reported that four youths, between the ages of 14 to 16 were on board the GO train while the train was in motion, three of the youths went up to roof of the train and one youth remained in the coach,” said Const. Cindy Chung. “While on the roof of the train one of the youths who is a 15-year-old boy sustained serious injuries.”

READ MORE: Driver hospitalized following 3 vehicle crash on Highway 24

There are many dangerous videos on social media that show people on top of trains – including go transit.

“Train surfing is very dangerous, it’s a reckless type of behaviour, and not to mention it is illegal, these incidents can cause serious life-threatening injuries and can easily result in death,” said Chung.

Metrolinx says train surfing is not something they’ve seen an increase in. The tops of trains are not easily accessible for passengers and getting up on the roof of a moving train would have had to have been thought out.

“It does take a degree of planning, determination and agility, to access the exterior of a moving train particularly from the interior. Its complex and difficult and we make it difficult so you can’t accidentally find yourself on the exterior of the train,” said Metrolinx chief COO and safety officer Martin Gallagher.

“Trains are hazards, particularly if you are not fully aware of the environment you’re in, and of all conditions, and hazards. These are high speed, large machines, even when they move at slow they’re incredibly powerful, they are difficult to stop.”

READ MORE: Hamilton police close part of westbound Linc after vehicle rollover