Train surfing teen killed
A 15-YEAR- old Fezeka High School pupil was electrocuted while train-surfing in Philippi yesterday.
Daniel Mphoso, a Grade 8 pupil, was on his way to school at about 7am, travelling from Stock Road station.
He and a group of friends were allegedly jumping from the roof of one moving carriage to the next, until Philippi station where Daniel appeared to have hit the link between the train and the overhead electric cables.
Dressed in his school uniform of blue jersey, white shirt and grey trousers, his lifeless body lay on top of the seventh carriage with his feet dangling over the side. His face was covered by a red scarf.
Residents said the teen’s body was left hanging off the carriage for more than four hours.
It was removed at about 11.30am.
Commuters in passing trains running on the parallel tracks took out their cellphones to take pictures of the body.
It was only when the city’s Fire and Rescue department arrived that the body was removed.
Spokesman Theo Layne said the youngster appeared to have been electrocuted.
It was not clear why he was on top of the carriage, he said, but provincial police spokeswoman Constable Noloyiso Rwexana said he had been train-surfing.
“According to reports the 15year-old learner was train-surfing on top of the train’s coaches while it was in motion and was subsequently electrocuted.”
A witness, who did not want to be named, said Daniel and his friends had been reprimanded by other commuters at the Stock Road station. “They did not want to listen. “When the incident happened I heard shouting and saw people getting off the train. When I looked outside I saw him already down.”
The witness said the friends had run off.
Daniel’s phone had been ringing in his pocket “non-stop” since the incident.
At the scene police searched the teen to try to identify him. One of his pockets contained a monthly ticket from Stock Road to Netreg.
The witness said: “I feel sorry for his parents because he had no reason to jump the train, he had a
valid ticket… every day we see these children chasing each other on top of moving trains.”
Philippi Ward 33 councillor Nico Mzalisi said train-surfing was a problem in the area. He believed Metrorail should run awareness campaigns at schools to educate pupils about the dangers of train-surfing.
In response to the train-surfing allegations Metrorail regional manager Richard Walker said none of Daniel’s friends had been identified nor any statements given by witnesses or bystanders to police to substantiate the allegations.
“The practice of train-surfing is not a phenomenon endemic to the Western Cape.
“First indications are that the young male was electrocuted and no witnesses have yet come forward. Police are investigating the circumstances leading to his death.”
Walker expressed his condolences to Daniel’s family and friends. “It is the news that every parent dreads. We hold them in prayers as they deal with their loss.”
He urged anyone with any information that could shed light on this incident to contact the Philippi police.
Rwexana said an inquest docket had been opened.