Alleged train surfers land in hospital
Teenagers in hospital after train incident
Two teenagers are in a critical condition when they sustained injuries while allegedly train surfing near Riverlea train station last night (5 July).
At about 7.30pm ER24 paramedics were dispatched to the scene after receiving a call-out about a man who had tripped and fell. However, at the scene members of the community escorted them to the train tracks where they found a severely injured, unconscious 17-year-old.
It is understood that one of the teenagers, aged 16, managed to walk to a nearby house to call for help. He sustained major cuts to his abdomen and was in a serious condition.
Paramedics initiated advanced life support treatment on the 17-year-old and later rushed him to Helen Joseph Hospital for further care. The 16-year-old was stabilised on the scene and rushed to Life Fourways Hospital.
According to ER24 spokesperson Werner Vermaak, the 16-year-old alleged that they were robbed and thrown off the train.
“However, members of the community said they had seen people standing on top of the train. Some indicated they had heard a loud bang followed immediately by a power outage in the nearby vicinity. They believed it came from the station when one of the train surfers allegedly collided with overhead power cables,” he said.
The police were called to the scene to investigate the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
Community members were extremely helpful as many of them provided first aid to the injured while waiting for paramedics to arrive.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
Also read:
One dead, 240 injured in train crash
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