Tram-surfers risking their lives
METROLINK BOSSES WARN ‘ONE SLIP COULD LEAD TO A TRAGEDY’
TRANSPORT bosses have warned ‘tram-surfers’ that they are risking their lives after video emerged of a boy clinging to the back of Metrolink.
In footage shared online the hooded youngster can be seen running after the tram in Rochdale town centre.
He then jumps on the back of the carriage as it picks up speed and clings on for several seconds.
Footage of the stunt, which took place at about 5pm, was captured by a member of the public.
He told the M.E.N.: “He only looked about 12 and he was on the back of the tram for a couple of minutes before I started recording.
He must have got on somewhere near the train station on Maclure Road.
“I saw him and just thought ‘Wow, that’s so dangerous,’ so I started recording him and then put it up on Facebook to show how dangerous it was.”
The TravelSafe Partnership, the security team which patrols Greater Manchester’s public transport, say they are aware of a ‘small but continued number’ of ‘tram-surfing’ incidents on the Metrolink.
Officers have previously spoken to the parents of some of the youngsters involved, visited schools to give talks on the dangers of the stunt and ‘launched a more robust enforcement of the Metrolink bylaws.’
Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s head of Metrolink, said: “This type of reckless behaviour could very easily result in death or very serious injury and I would urge people to stay safe and not be tempted into risking their lives in this way.
“One slip could lead to a tragedy and the last thing we want is someone’s child not coming home because they took a needless risk.
“We do run a comprehensive youth engagement programme warning young people about the dangers and consequences of this type of behaviour but unfortunately there remains a small number of people who seem determined to risk their lives.
“Our staff are vigilant, but I would urge anyone who sees something like this to let us know as soon as possible and help ensure nobody gets hurt.”
Last year the M.E.N. reported how youths were also performing similar dangerous stunts near Victoria Station in the city centre.
Speaking at the time Mr Vaughan said: “Most people, including those who share videos of their exploits and those who watch them, won’t need telling that such behaviour is extremely dangerous and puts lives at risk.”