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Teen's leg severed in attempt to jump on moving train

Jacksonville police say teen was trying to make curfew at youth center

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 15-year-old boy is recovering after his leg was severed during an attempt to jump on a moving train.  It happened just after midnight at the railroad tracks near 56th Street and Main Street.

Police say Jayson Ahrens was trying to get on the train when his leg got caught under it. Police say he told investigators he was trying to make curfew at the Panama Youth Center.

"At about 12:13, shortly after midnight, our dispatchers were called to a railroad accident with injuries," says Officer Shannon Hartley. "Their initial investigation revealed that a juvenile was attempting to board a moving train, was unsuccessful. He apparently slipped of fell off the moving cart. His leg got caught underneath the train and was severed- One leg slightly above the ankle."

Gabriel Shults, who says he is friends with Ahrens spoke with Channel 4 on Sunday.

"It's shocking. I just saw him 20 minutes before he left and I was like - make sure you walk home and he didn't," said Shults.

 People who live in the area say people often cross the train tracks in the area to get to their destinations sooner.

"People all the time - crossing them train tracks. It's the shortest way to get to where you're going," said Charles Tolbert, who lives in the area.

The teen was transported to a local hospital, but right now details of his condition were not disclosed.


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