Tourist Critically Injured After Leaning Out of Train While Doing Social Media Stunt: Reports

Mar. 15, 2025

Iconic train passing over Nine Arch Bridge in Demodara, Ella, Sri Lanka.Photo:graphixel/Getty

graphixel/Getty

A tourist is reportedly in critical condition after she leaned out the window of a train in Sri Lanka and slammed into a tunnel wall.The Chinese woman, whose name has not been publicly released, was traveling from Nanu Oya to Badulla on Sunday, March 9 when the incident occurred, according toSouth China Morning PostandThe Free Press Journal.The 35-year-old fell from the train after she hit her head on the 19th railway tunnel in Idalgashinna, theJournalandAda Deranareported.The woman reportedly was first transported to Haputale Divisional Hospital before being transferred to two other hospitals. She is said to have sustained head and leg injuries.Photos of the woman shared on social media showed her leaning out of the train car, and later lying down on a stretcher.She appeared to be taking part in a new social media trend where people take photos and videos of themselves hanging off of the side of trains in Sri Lanka.One day after the incident, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka reminded tourists in a statement to “stay away from train doors and do not lean out of train for photos,” according to theMorning Post.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.The woman involved in the March 9th crash is just the latest person to be injured while participating in the trend.In December, a different Chinese tourist sustained minor injuries after leaning her upper body out of the car and hitting tree branches, per theMorning PostandNew York Post.In February, a 53-year-old Russian woman died after falling from a moving train while attempting to take a photo.

A tourist is reportedly in critical condition after she leaned out the window of a train in Sri Lanka and slammed into a tunnel wall.

The Chinese woman, whose name has not been publicly released, was traveling from Nanu Oya to Badulla on Sunday, March 9 when the incident occurred, according toSouth China Morning PostandThe Free Press Journal.

The 35-year-old fell from the train after she hit her head on the 19th railway tunnel in Idalgashinna, theJournalandAda Deranareported.

The woman reportedly was first transported to Haputale Divisional Hospital before being transferred to two other hospitals. She is said to have sustained head and leg injuries.

Photos of the woman shared on social media showed her leaning out of the train car, and later lying down on a stretcher.

She appeared to be taking part in a new social media trend where people take photos and videos of themselves hanging off of the side of trains in Sri Lanka.

One day after the incident, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka reminded tourists in a statement to “stay away from train doors and do not lean out of train for photos,” according to theMorning Post.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The woman involved in the March 9th crash is just the latest person to be injured while participating in the trend.

In December, a different Chinese tourist sustained minor injuries after leaning her upper body out of the car and hitting tree branches, per theMorning PostandNew York Post.

In February, a 53-year-old Russian woman died after falling from a moving train while attempting to take a photo.

source: people.com