After serious accidents - Police warn of wagon climbing
After several serious accidents in recent times, the police are warning against climbing on train carriages. "A railway infrastructure is not a playground," said a spokesperson for the Federal Police in Munich.
In the past two weeks, there have been three tragic accidents where two teenagers were seriously injured and a 19-year-old died. The two teenagers are still in critical condition in the hospital.
"The overhead power lines of the railway carry a voltage of up to 15,000 Volts. This high voltage is extremely dangerous and can already cause a fatal electric shock with approach," the Police stated.
Even if the wires are not touched, a shock can occur over several meters. The Police are therefore appealing - especially at the beginning of the summer holidays, when young people have a lot of time - to young people and their parents to be aware of the dangers: "You're really playing with your life."
Young people do not necessarily climb onto the carriages to practice the life-threatening S-Bahn surfing, but to drink a beer or look at the starry sky, said a Police spokesperson. There have also been cases where passengers tried to shorten the way to the next track by using a carriage. A spokesperson for the Federal Police warned: "In doubt, you won't get anywhere else."
According to the Federal Police, there were 20 registered electric shocks on railway infrastructure in Bavaria between 2019 and 2024, where 21 people were injured and four were killed.
The warning against climbing on train carriages extends beyond Munich, as it's a concern across Germany due to the danger posed by the high voltage from overhead power lines. Despite not intending to practice S-Bahn surfing, young people often climb for leisure activities such as drinking or stargazing, which can still lead to accidents. The Federal Police advises against this, stating that it's a risky behavior that can result in electric shocks, even from a distance. In response to the increasing number of accidents, they've registered 20 electric shocks and reported 21 injuries and four fatalities on railway infrastructure in Bavaria between 2019 and 2024. Authorities urge parents and young people to be aware of these dangers and avoid taking risks, as a seemingly harmless activity can lead to serious consequences, such as being caught in an emergency situation requiring assistance from the Federal Police.
