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A 40-year-old man was seen clinging to the outside of a high-speed train as it sped toward Nuremberg, reaching speeds of up to 282 km/h (175 mph).
The man, a Hungarian national, had boarded the InterCity Express (ICE) train in Munich without a valid ticket, and during a stop at Ingolstadt station, he decided to take a smoking break.
However, he became too engrossed in his cigarette, and when the train doors closed, he found himself stranded. Determined not to miss his connection, he attempted to board the train again but failed to make it before the doors shut.
Left with no choice, the man leapt onto a bracket between two carriages and hung on to cables as the train continued its journey, leaving the station bound for Nuremberg.
Witnesses onboard noticed the unusual and perilous situation and quickly alerted the authorities. As the train hurtled toward its destination at breakneck speed, the federal police were notified and contacted the train driver.
The driver was able to stop the train unexpectedly about 30 km later, near Kinding in Upper Bavaria, avoiding what could have been a tragic outcome.
The passenger, whose name was not immediately released, later explained that he had left his luggage on the train while taking the break and was unwilling to part with it. He seemed remarkably unharmed despite his harrowing ride, said a police spokesman.
A police officer from the state police, who happened to be aboard the train, located the man hanging outside and helped him back onto the train before it was brought to a halt.
Federal police at Nuremberg Central Station took the man into custody. He is expected to face charges for “an act disruptive to operations,” which, under German law, is classified as an administrative offense.
The incident has raised concerns about safety, and federal authorities have issued a stern warning to the public about the dangers of risky behavior on the country’s trains.
“Such actions put not only the individual in danger but also those on board the train and anyone else who might be nearby,” a police spokesman stated. “We urge people to never engage in such reckless behavior, as the consequences could be dire.”
The ICE train was traveling on a six-hour journey from Munich to Lübeck, and the unscheduled stop caused significant delays.
While the authorities have not disclosed whether the man faced further legal consequences, the incident has sparked a wider conversation about train safety and the importance of following rules and regulations.
This high-speed stunt, while not leading to injury, serves as a stark reminder of the potential hazards involved in fare-dodging or attempting to board a moving train.
Federal police have continued to emphasize that all passengers should respect safety guidelines to avoid putting their lives—and the lives of others—at risk.