British Transport Police (BTP) officers have issued a safety warning after a youth injured himself while ‘train surfing’ in Ashington, Northumberland.
Rail staff called officers on Monday, 26 March after spotting three youths riding on the back of a passenger train around 10.55am, close to the Lintonville Terrace level crossing.
One of the youths was then seen falling from the back of the train onto the tracks and injuring his foot. He was last seen limping away from the area.
BTP officers were called and carried out an extensive search of the area, as well as in local accident and emergency departments, but to no avail.
Sergeant Tanya Rickard, based at Newcastle BTP station, said:
“Whilst these youths seemed to have no care for their own safety, they clearly put their own lives at risk and all it took was a minor slip for one of them to fall and injure themselves.
“I’d like to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour in the area or a trio of youngsters running from the Lintonville Industrial Park.
“This is a serious offence and I will continue to investigate until the youngsters are located. If the danger isn’t a deterrent then I hope the threat of police action might be. The railway is not a playground and should not be treated as such.”
BTP said that the youths were all boys around 13-years-old. The boy that fell to the tracks was wearing a red hooded jumper.
Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting B9/NEA of 27/03/2012. Information can also be passed to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.
