Migrant Jumping On Train To US Slips, Has Foot Severed

Story ByAna LacasaSub EditorJoseph GolderAgencyCEN

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

Video Credit: CEN

This is the moment a migrant trying to jump onto a moving train heading to the United States from Mexico slips and the huge wagon then runs over his legs – ripping off one of his feet.

The shocking incident took place as the cargo train – known as ‘The Death Train’ (‘El Tren de la Muerte’ in Spanish) was passing through Chahuites, in the area of Isthmus of Tehuantepec, in the central Mexican state of Oaxaca and was recorded by an onlooker.

In the video, a man, reportedly a migrant from El Salvador, can be seen running alongside the moving train.

Pictures Credit: CEN

He then tries to grab onto the ladder of one of the wagons to lift himself onto the train but slips and falls. His legs end up on the tracks and the wheels of the train run over them, amputating one of his feet.

He then pulls his legs away from the tracks as he lies on the ground. Another man then comes to try and comfort him as the huge train continues passing by just a few feet away, with people seen holding onto the carriages.

The Beta Group of the National Institute of Migration confirmed the man is from El Salvador and he was taken to San Pedro Tapanatepec Hospital in order to be treated for his injuries.

The accident is reported to have happened in the middle of April but the video has only recently been released. The footage appears to show the train running over both of his lower limbs but according to local media only one of his feet was severed.

The extent of his other injuries is unclear.There are no updates on the condition of the migrant in the video.

Many migrants from Central America gather in Chahuites to try and illegally board the ‘Death Train’ – also known as ‘The Beast’ – in an attempt to cross into the United States.

One migrant told reporters from El Salvador: “We took The Beast because we do not have money, we are asking for money from town to town, we are escaping from violence, we are only leaving our countries for necessity, we know there are risks, and proof of that is what happened to our Salvadorean mate who lost his foot, that made us sad.”