A 'train surfer' was burned alive after he was 'electrocuted' travelling on the roof of a 155 mile per hour high speed electric train in Russia.

The Sapsan service was halted after passengers reported the smell of 'burning meat' in a carriage as the train was en route from St Petersburg to Moscow.

It has been claimed that the 'train surfer' was electrocuted. Credit: East2West

The driver stopped the train and a fire was spotted on the roof of the third carriage as passengers ran out onto a platform in panic, according to reports.

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The cause of the blaze was found to be coming from 19-year-old Dmitry Mikhailenko whose body was trapped on the 4,000-volt pantograph - the apparatus mounted on the roof of an electric train which collects power through contact with an overhead line.

Mr Mikhailenko had already passed away when rescuers reached him in Tver region on 4 August, say reports citing law enforcement.

Dmitry Mikhailenko had already passed away when rescuers found him. Credit: East2West

Full details have only emerged now, including fears for a young woman who may have been with him.

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Other 'train surfers' have expressed concern for Anya Morozova, 20, who has been missing since the incident and whose phone is off.

The Russian Investigative Committee transport section has launched a full investigation into the incident.

Russian Railways official Petr Potapov, said he caused a 'short circuit' on the roof of the train. The roof as well as his body was burning.



The Russian Sapsan service was halted. Credit: East2West

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This isn't the only tragedy to befall so-called 'train surfers' - last year a man was decapitated in North Carolina while riding atop a passenger train.

The Metro reported that 24-year-old Varcy Locklear was killed when the vehicle went under a bridge. His body was discovered on the same day of the incident - 30 October - in Enfield about 128 miles away from the passing.

The train itself was Charlotte to New York Amtrak route. Spokesperson for the train company, Kimberly Woods, said: "Service on an Amtrak train was temporarily suspended at the request of local law enforcement.

Varcy Locklear was decapitated travelling on the roof of a train. Credit: Facebook/Varcy Locklear

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"It was reported of a possible interaction with the train and a person who was on the track. Service was suspended in order for Amtrak, and local authorities to investigate.