Boy, 15, cracks skull in train leap

["Scott Beecham" <snoa@dingoblue.net.au>]

(copied from the terrograph on Monday, couldn't find an online version)

"When an express train failed to stop at Auburn Station sunday, teenager
Christopher Newtown made a dangerous decision. At 4:45am the 15-year-old
prized apart the doors, crouched and then lept from the train which was
travelling about 50-60km/h.
He hit the platform fracturing his skull, breaking his collarbone and
cutting his face.

The Auburn train enthusiast had been riding in trains most of the night
before catching the west-bound suburban service express from Central.

Police said when he was found on the platform early on sunday he had an
exercise book with him detailing the timetables of trains he caught
recently. The book had entries which shown he had been ridiing around in the
trains since about 11pm the previous night, stopping for a few hours at Town
Hall.

'It appears he rides the train a fair bit,' said Aurburn Duty Inspector
Chris Ashton. 'It could be described as somthing he liked to do.'

Insp Ashton said there was nothing suspicous in the incident. It appeared
Christopher had not known the train he caught was an express and once he
realised it he tried to get off.

Insp Ashton said it was the second injury related to jumping off trains in
the area in two weeks, with a drug-affected man also injured after jumping
off a train at lidcome station.

Yesterday Christopher's mother Carolyn Newton joined police in warning
children not to jump out of train for any reason. 'I think parents need to
point out what can happen and that your better off being late home then
trying to do something silly.' said Mrs Newtown."