SOMERTON, Pa. — Authorities have uncovered trouble on the tracks in the Somerton section of Philadelphia, and now they have graphic evidence of extremely dangerous foul play, according to television station WPVI in Philadelphia.
They are illegal actions committed by some brazen teenagers. Maybe they’re bored, maybe they’re bent on destruction, they’re also lucky they’re still walking.
Authorities say to call the incident “mischief” isn’t strong enough.
Two people — apparently teenage boys — threw items at a CSX train as it passes by. At first, the teens throw rocks at the cars, then when the train gets closer, they begin to toss debris underneath. Flat boards, 2″x4″s, a concrete block, and later, what appears to be a huge tree limb. This was caught on film last Wednesday, by a train historian, who was documenting passing trains along tracks in the Somerton section of Philadelphia.
“They might just get bored, do something dangerous, and a lot of people are going to regret it,” train historian John Almeida said.
CSX officials say the teens are lucky to be alive. Some of the debris they threw under that train became projectiles. Worse yet, the teens could have been pulled underneath the cars. CSX spokesman Robert Sullivan viewed the tape personally.
“It’s a wonder we didn’t have to deal with a story about a couple funerals over the weekend, I mean the phrase that came into my mind was ‘A prelude to a funeral,'” Sullivan said.
No one knows who the vandals are, but CSX would like to find out, to sit down with them and explain the danger of their actions. Parents attending Little League games near the train vandalism scene are equally appalled.
Ben Barbour, a resident of Somerton, said: “Not only dangerous, but they’re endangering other people by doing things like that, I think it’s stupid.”
“Especially when there’s activities they could be doing instead of getting in trouble, they could be playing baseball, or getting involved in the community, helping,” said Maryellen Saylor of Holland, Pa.
CSX Police are asking for more information. You can reach them at 1-800-232-0144. Use this number to report any unusual or illegal activity near train tracks.
Officials are leery that, as the weather gets warmer, more teens may be hitting the tracks looking for some fun, possibly at the cost of their lives.