Teen Clings to Locomotive: Police Operation in Saxony-Anhalt - Drunk Teen Halts German Train After Climbing Onto Moving Locomotive
An 18-year-old climbed onto the outside of a moving S-Bahn locomotive in Weißenfels, Saxony-Anhalt, on Saturday evening. The dangerous stunt forced the train driver to make an emergency stop, causing delays and cancellations on the line. Authorities are now investigating the incident as a case of dangerous interference with rail traffic.
The teenager had initially left the train during its scheduled stop at Großkorbetha station. When he tried to reboard, the doors closed, leaving him stranded on the platform. Instead of waiting for the next service, he ran alongside the departing train and climbed onto its exterior.
The driver noticed the youth and immediately applied the emergency brake. After bringing the train to a halt, the driver alerted police and rail security. Officers removed the teenager from the locomotive unharmed but found him heavily intoxicated, with a blood alcohol level of 0.97 per mille. He was also carrying prescription medication not prescribed to him.
The disruption led to two trains being cancelled and 16 others delayed. Rail services on the line resumed after authorities cleared the scene.
This incident adds to a rising trend of dangerous interference with trains in Germany. Over the past two years (2024–2025), more than 1,000 such cases—including stone-throwing, arson attempts, and track tampering—were officially recorded. Reports from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and Deutsche Bahn indicate a 20–30% increase compared to previous years.
The teenager now faces charges of dangerous interference with rail traffic. His actions caused significant disruption to services, affecting hundreds of passengers. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances, including his level of intoxication and the source of the medication found in his possession.
