Teens in San Diego arrested following train surfing stunt

SAN DIEGO (NBC, KYMA) - A dangerous train surfing stunt carried out by two teens in San Diego recently has become the talk of the town, but the teens are now both facing serious charges all in an apparent attempt to create compelling content.

In San Diego, people surf in the water, but a viral video shows two people surfing on a train as a it passed through Del Mar.

People were amazed after seeing the video.

"That was crazy," said Alan Hanson, a San Diego resident.

"I [definitely] thought it was AI...I was like, 'There's no way anyone can climb up there," said John Bunch, another San Diego resident.

It's the real deal, according to sheriff's deputies.

In slow motion, one of the teens could be seen surfing or running on the train, while the other appears to be laying down, holding a camera or cellphone to shoot video, but sheriff's investigators aren't commenting if that's the case at this stage of the investigation.

"People make so much money on [Instagram] getting content out, it just drives people to do more outrageous stuff," Bunch spoke.

In New York, the high speed stunts have been met with deadly consequences. At least five deaths and more than 50 injuries last year.

"It is incredibly dangerous when we see these incidents," said Mary Dover, Chief of Staff at the North County Transit District (NCTD)

But in San Diego, Dover says the NCTD doesn't often see people surfing on top of their trains and they haven't had any deaths as a result.

She urges people to remember it's illegal to trespass on the tracks and on top of the trains that can travel up to 90 miles per hour.

"Anybody that thinks that this is a good idea if they're interested in doing it for going viral, or for their 15 minutes of fame, it's not worth your life and it's not worth potential legal action that we will take," Dover expressed.

18-year-olds Joseph Medina-Rivera and Brad Ellgen were both arrested in Solana Beach, a few blocks from each other, after the stunt.

Deputies say they weren't hurt and admitted to riding on top of the train.

"Gen Z! I do not understand the things they do for clicks and likes," said Rob Alexander, another San Diego resident.

Alexander and Gina Gunderson are thankful the teens lived to see another sunset.

Like others an NBC affiliate in San Diego talked to, they're hoping the two will be a bit more cautious, instead of possibly fishing for likes.

"Be safe. Don't jump on moving trains or risk your life...You've got a long life a head of you. Go surf in the water," Gunderson remarked.

"Go on a rollercoaster. Go to Belmont Park. Do something safe. [It's] ridiculous. It's not worth your life," said Michael Kaplan, another San Diego resident.