Teen Girl Dies Train Surfing Near Silver Spring Metro Station

SILVER SPRING, MD — A teenage girl died Friday while riding on the outside of a train car en route to a Silver Spring Metro station, the transit agency confirmed.

"We are deeply saddened to learn that a teenage girl lost her life this morning while riding outside of a train car en route to the Silver Spring station. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family," Metro said in a statement.

It's unclear what caused the girl to die or where authorities located her.

The incident prompted delays between the Silver Spring and Forest Glen stations, WTOP reported.

"Train surfing," also known as tram surfing or subway surfing, is the act of riding on the exterior parts of a moving train. Train surfers usually ride on the side, behind or on the roof of the railroad car. Sometimes, they will attempt to jump from one train to another or onto railway platforms.

The practice is illegal. Last year, a 15-year-old from Silver Spring was found dead on the tracks near the Rhode Island Avenue station, according to the Washington Post. Investigators said he was filming himself on top of a Metro slain when he slipped and fell.

“Riding outside of a train is dangerous, illegal, and highly likely to lead to severe injury or death," Metro said in a statement. "Signage is posted on bulkhead doors between railcars warning customers that walking between railcars is dangerous and prohibited unless in an emergency."

Metro riders are encouraged to report similar activity by contacting Metro Transit Police at 202-962-2121 or alerting a Metro employee.