Trainsurfer in Bamberg: 19-year-old suffers dangerous electric shock

Trainsurfer in Bamberg: 19-year-old suffers dangerous electric shock

An adventure that ended badly: A 19-year-old from Thuringia sustained serious injuries while train surfing at the train station in Bamberg on Wednesday afternoon, June 11, 2025. The young man was climbing between two carriages of a regional express that was standing on platform 3 when he came into contact with a high-voltage line and suffered an electrical shock of around 1,000 volts. This incident received a lot of attention because trainsurfing is not only risky, but also illegal in Germany.

Witnesses to the accident immediately alerted the police, who found the injured man shocked and injured on the platform. Despite his condition, the 19-year-old was responsive and was apparently able to free himself before the Bamberg fire department arrived. However, they had to wait for confirmation from Deutsche Bahn that train traffic on platform 3 had been stopped before they could rescue the man.

The effects of the accident

With burns on both arms, the injured man was finally handed over to the emergency services and taken to the Bamberg Clinic. Meanwhile, due to the incident, train traffic on platform 3 had to be stopped, which led to various trains being rerouted. Fortunately, other tracks were not affected, but the reasons for climbing onto the train remain unclear. The investigation into this is ongoing.

Trainsurfing, as this incident shows, has legal consequences. In addition to serious injuries, dangerous interference with rail traffic can be punished with penalties of up to ten years in prison. The Federal Police have also issued urgent warnings about the dangers associated with staying on and in tracks and riding on trains. After this incident, the 19-year-old is now obliged to answer in court and must also expect further legal consequences.

The dangers of traction current

Deutsche Bahn highlights that its overhead lines are operated with an astonishing 15,000 volts. This corresponds to 65 times the voltage of a conventional household socket and is not only dangerous, but can lead to a fatal electrical flashover at a distance of just 1.5 meters. It is common for people, especially teenagers, to suffer serious or even fatal injuries in accidents involving climbing on train cars or utility poles. Deutsche Bahn and the Federal Police work together to implement measures to prevent such accidents, such as the “We want you to arrive safely” campaign, which educates the public about the dangers and is particularly aimed at young people. Special posters and other information materials are also intended to ensure that such dangerous adventures are avoided.

But dangers aren't just lurking when climbing on wagons. Even flying kites or drones near tracks can be risky as they can conduct electricity. The Federal Police carries out a variety of prevention projects that are aimed at different age groups and provide information in schools and other institutions.

The incident in Bamberg once again renewed the discussion about security measures in train stations and the responsibility of young people. Society is required to clearly communicate the risks and take preventive action against such dangerous games. Deutsche Bahn will continue to work on training and information offerings to ensure the safety of all travelers and avoid tragic incidents in the future.