Man shocked after train stunt 'seriously ill'

A 19-year-old Hamilton man remains seriously ill in intensive care tonight after getting an electric shock when climbing on top of a train.

He underwent surgery in Waikato Hospital today after receiving severe burns to the upper left side of his body from overhead power lines at Te Rapa last night.

Police said the man climbed on to the roof of the train's carriages and walked along the top as his friends looked on.

"Unfortunately he got too close to the overhead power supply...," Hamilton police Senior Sergeant Graham Shields said.

He hoped the man had learned his lesson.

Mr Shields said it was believed the man did not touch the power line, but got close enough that the current arced across to him.

- NZPA