"I'm the Kelly Slater of train surfing." The author of these words, a 17-year-old young boy, has lost his life while riding on top of a train in Australia.
James Wilkinson was train surfing on the roof of a city-bound train on the Pakenham line in Melbourne when the accident happened. He died of electrocution.
"We think there were about five people in the carriage that he was with at Caulfield station, and no doubt there was alcohol involved, and the risk-taking kicks in, and the rest is history," his father said.
The popular, dangerous, and illegal activity is practiced close to overhead power lines. There were more teens train surfing at the same time.
James Wilkinson enjoyed taking risks in the past and loved the wild side of life. Recently, he had taken a job as an apprentice builder and was working up to 12 hours a day.
Local authorities have announced tougher penalties for train surfing in Melbourne.