Lorry surfing ‘is tragedy just waiting to happen’
ANEW craze of lorry surfing ‘is a tragedy waiting to happen,’ says a councillor.
Video footage shows two teenagers hanging off the back of moving vans in busy traffic in Shaw.
The short clip shows the youths on the back of the vehicle as it approached the traffic lights on Beal Lane near to Rochdale Road.
This is just once instance that was caught on camera - with many more reported sightings over the past two weeks.
Shaw Councillor Chris Gloster said it’s dangerous and irresponsible and wants it to stop before someone is seriously injured.
He recorded footage while in the passenger seat of a car and wants to share the video to prevent more incidents happening in future.
He said: “Teenagers are jumping on the back of moving articulated goods vehicles and this is the second time I’ve seen it happen.
“I have had many other people come and tell me that they have seen the same kind of thing.
“The lorry surfing seems to be the latest craze.
“It’s so dangerous. It is a tragedy waiting to happen. What happens if they fall off and another car is right behind them?
“The times I have seen it and heard about this happening, is always in the dark on that particular stretch of road.
“It seems they are doing it between the tram stop and Rochdale Road.
“I just can’t believe people are doing this.”
The incidents have been reported to police.
Sergeant for Royton and Shaw, Stephen Hall, said the incidents were being looked into.
He said: “This type of thing is extremely dangerous and it is a concern to us.
“It’s not just a concern for the people ‘surfing’ but for other road users.
“We are looking into this and extra patrols will be in place in that area.
“We are looking to prosecute and educate about the dangers of this type of activity.”
He added that officers will contact local van companies to make them aware of it.
“I just can’t believe people are doing this”