Taipei: A man who train surfed from Taipei to Keelung City on Saturday, clinging precariously between two carriages, is likely to be fined for breaking the law, according to railway authorities.
According to Focus Taiwan, the man, identified by his surname Tsai, got off a Taitung-bound Taroko Express train at Nangang Station in Taipei to purchase something. Upon his return, he found that the train's doors had already closed.
In an apparent panic, Tsai climbed onto the coupling between the third and fourth carriages as the train was leaving the station, the authorities said. The Taiwan Railway Corp. (TRC) and the Railway Police Bureau were involved in the incident's investigation.
TRC reported that personnel at Xizhi Station in New Taipei noticed something suspicious on surveillance camera monitors. They promptly informed the train conductor and control center of the issue at around 8.15 p.m. on Saturday.
According to the authorities, the train was ordered to stop at Qidu Station in Keelung City. At this point, Tsai got down onto the track and was then pulled onto the platform by railway police. TRC confirmed that Tsai, around 40 years old, was not injured during the incident, which caused no more than a five-minute delay at Qidu Station.
However, Tsai now faces a fine ranging from NT$1,500 (US$45.18) to NT$7,500, as stated by the Railway Police Bureau, citing Articles 57 and 71 of the Railway Act. Following the incident, TRC is urging passengers to adhere to safety rules and avoid putting themselves and others in danger.