Teens risking lives in latest video craze on motorways
YOUNGSTERS HANGING OVER BRIDGE BARRIERS TO TAKE PHOTOS
TEENAGERS are climbing over motorway bridge barriers and taking pictures of speeding vehicles below as part of a new ‘Snapchat craze.’
Police chiefs have issued an urgent warning over the dangerous ‘challenge.’
Youngsters are reportedly being encouraged to climb over motorway bridges and take photographs while hanging perilously over the edge.
Officers in Bury responded to three separate incidents on Monday night.
According to GMP, teenagers spoken to at the scenes claimed it was a ‘Snapchat challenge’ to post pictures leaning over bridges.
Police chiefs have blasted the irresponsible ‘craze’ and issued an alert, warning lives were being put at risk. Inspector Jim Jones, of Bury police, tweeted a warning to parents and children.
Writing on Twitter, he said: “Officers tonight have attended several incidents of people hanging off motorway bridges.
“Those spoken to claim it’s a Snapchat challenge to post pictures leaning over bridges. How irresponsible can you get? Please help nip this in the bud.”
All three incidents were reported within the space of an hour and 20 minutes. They all involved teenagers standing on the wrong side of motorway bridge barriers.
The first was reported over the M66 motorway near Ramsbottom and the second was reported on a bridge over the M60 motorway near to Besses o’ th’ Barn.
The third was reported on a bridge over the M60 near to Park Lane in Whitefield, police revealed.
Insp Jones told the M.E.N. that those involved were risking their lives and the lives of others by taking part in the irresponsible craze.
He revealed that some of the teenagers were reported to be ‘hanging’ over bridges and said: “These places are not playgrounds.
“The potential consequences are unthinkable, all for the quest of a few ‘likes’ on social media.”
A spokesman for the Bury division posted on Facebook: “Pease can all youths and parents alike stay well clear of motorway bridges.
“There have been recent reports of youths climbing over bridges to take photos of vehicles passing below – following Snapchat/Facebook requests. These places are very dangerous places and people are putting themselves in danger.”