In California, two adventurous teenagers found themselves in handcuffs after allegedly being caught riding on top of a train during a picturesque coastal sunset, authorities reported.
Joseph Medina-Rivera and Brad Ellgen, both 18 years old, were noticed by alarmed witnesses as they surfed atop a swiftly moving Coaster train en route to Del Mar on Friday around 5 p.m., according to NBC 7 San Diego.
Video footage captured one of the teens sprinting as the four-car train, capable of reaching speeds up to 90 mph, sped by.
The other teen was sprawled out on his stomach, seemingly capturing the perilous act on camera.
The astonishing scene prompted numerous reports, prompting deputies from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office to respond quickly.
Although Medina-Rivera and Ellgen initially evaded authorities, they were soon located nearby, thanks to detailed descriptions provided by eyewitnesses.
After being located by police, Medina-Rivera and Ellgen confessed to being on top of the train. They were then arrested for trespassing on railroad property. No injuries were reported, authorities said.
After being cited for the misdemeanor, both teens were released, Lieutenant Josh Stone, a spokesperson with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, told the outlet.
Joseph Medina-Rivera and Brad Ellgen, both 18, were arrested after they were allegedly caught surfing on top of a train in California
Several witnesses reported the dangerous scene to police, as one teen was seen running along the roof of the Coaster train, and another was spotted lying on his stomach
Stone declined to confirm if the teen seen lying on the train was in fact recording the other.
Locals were left shocked after seeing the now-viral video, as one man said: ‘That was crazy!’
Another said he first thought the clip was AI because it was hard for him to believe anyone could do that.
‘Yeah, I definitely thought it was AI. I was like, there’s no way anybody could climb up there,’ a man stated.
He went on to add that in the age of social media, where posts can go viral and be monetized, people are more inclined to do ‘outrageous’ things.
‘People make so much money on Instagram, getting content out there,’ the man said. ‘I guess it just drives people to do more outrageous stuff.’
Another resident, Gina Gunderson, said she was just relieved the teens were not harmed.
‘Be safe. Don’t jump on moving trains or risk your life. You’ve got a long life ahead of you. Go surf in the water,’ Gunderson said.
The deadly trend has just appeared to make its way to the West Coast, but it is no stranger to New York, after at least five people died and more than 50 were injured last year while subway surfing.
Many of the people who ride on top of trains often record themselves doing so in a bid to go viral online.
In October, two young teenagers, Zemfira Mukhtarov, 12, and Ebba Morina, 13, were tragically found dead on top of a J train in Brooklyn after participating in the act.
The girls were a part of a group of roughly 15 teens who were running around the train before being found on the roof.
Just days before their deaths, the teenage girls were seen performing the same dangerous stunt.
Following Medina-Rivera and Ellgen’s arrest, North County Transit District (NCTD) Chief of Staff Mary Dover said that although the act is rare in the Golden State, people need to be aware of the dangers associated with it.
After being located by police, Medina-Rivera and Ellgen confessed to being on top of the train. They were then arrested for trespassing on railroad property
‘Anybody that thinks that this is a good idea if they’re interested in doing it for going viral or for their 15 minutes of fame, it’s not worth your life, and it’s not worth potential legal action that we will take,’ Dover told NBC 7 San Diego.
The incident remains under investigation, according to NCTD.
Dover said the agency plans to press charges against the teens to keep passengers and those around the train tracks safe.
The Daily Mail contacted the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and NCTD for comment.
