Australian teen fighting for life after falling off train in likely ‘buffer riding’ stunt

Detailed summary

‘You just don’t mess, or play with a 400-tonne train,’ says the head of Sydney's rail operations

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A teenager is critical after falling onto the railway tracks of the Sydney Harbour Bridge while allegedly train surfing.

Emergency services were rushed to a train corridor at around 11.30am local time on Thursday after the 17-year-old fell on the tracks, police said.

The boy was riding on the outside of the train when he fell, suffering injuries to his head, chest and pelvis, according to New South Wales police inspector Luke Barrett.

The victim was a part of a group of three youths, the police said, adding that the other two boys were brought in for questioning.

Mr Barrett said there were no suggestions that the pair also rode on the train.

He said the teen was riding on the outside of the train in a dangerous activity "that is commonly referred to as ‘buffer riding'".

Buffer riding, or train surfing, has gained popularity among young people in recent years, largely due to the rise of thrill-seeker content on social media.

A CareFlight Helicopter arrived at a nearby Bradfield Park, where the teenager was treated before being taken to a waiting ambulance by the medical team.

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