A 24-year-old man survived a death-defying ordeal clinging to the exterior of a high-speed Austrian train traveling at potentially lethal speeds after stepping off for a cigarette break and being left behind at the station.
Story Highlights
- Passenger grabbed onto exterior of departing Railjet train after smoking break, positioning himself between carriages
- Train crew executed emergency stop after man banged on windows, bringing him safely aboard
- Austrian police detained the man upon arrival in Vienna with only seven-minute delay reported
- Officials condemned the reckless act as potentially fatal, citing danger to both passenger and emergency responders
Dangerous Gamble on High-Speed Rail
The incident unfolded Saturday when the Zurich-Vienna Railjet departed Sankt Pölten station while the passenger was on the platform smoking. Rather than accept missing his connection, the man made the split-second decision to grab onto the train’s exterior as it accelerated. He managed to position himself in the gap between two carriages and began pounding on windows to alert the crew inside.
The conductor immediately triggered an emergency brake, bringing the high-speed train to a controlled stop. Crew members safely brought the man aboard, and the Railjet continued to Vienna, arriving just seven minutes behind schedule at Meidling station. Austrian police took the passenger into custody upon arrival, though specific charges have not yet been disclosed.
Official Response Emphasizes Public Safety
Austrian Federal Railways spokesperson Herbert Hofer delivered sharp criticism of the passenger’s actions, telling AFP that such stunts “usually end up with someone dying.” The official emphasized that the reckless behavior endangered not only the individual but also the emergency responders who risk their lives executing rescue procedures. Hofer’s statement reflects the serious view Austrian authorities take toward railway safety violations.
The spokesperson declined to provide details about the man’s background, citing an ongoing investigation. Local tabloid Heute reported the passenger as a 24-year-old Algerian national, though Austrian authorities have not officially confirmed these details.
Pattern of Risky Behavior on European Rails
This incident follows a troubling pattern of similar occurrences across European high-speed rail networks. In January, a 40-year-old Hungarian man reportedly clung to a German high-speed train for approximately 20 miles after stepping off to smoke, telling police he didn’t want to be separated from his luggage. These cases reveal a recurring risk behavior that rail operators are struggling to prevent.
The Austria incident occurred on ÖBB’s flagship Railjet service, which operates strict doors-closed protocols designed to maintain schedule integrity and passenger safety. High-speed rail operations across Europe emphasize that once departure procedures begin, passengers cannot reboard for any reason. The consistency of luggage concerns in both the Austrian and German cases suggests passengers are making calculated but extremely dangerous decisions to avoid losing personal belongings.
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Man clings to high-speed train in Austria after it left station without him
Passenger clung to train outside
