Daredevils or idiots? Watch the hair-raising video from Huddersfield bus station and have your say
TEENAGERS filmed a hair-raising video of themselves risking serious injury at Huddersfield Bus station.
The YouTube footage shows four youths walking along a barrier between the bus station and Huddersfield ring road – with a 20ft drop to concrete below if it all went wrong.
At the end of the risky walk each member of the group performs an acrobatic flip on to the pavement.
The footage suggests they are practising parkour, which is also known as free running.
The sport, which originated in France, sees athletic practitioners set themselves an urban course to run along and use jumps and flips to most efficiently navigate their way through.
While some are skilled, many taking part risk serious harm as a slip from a wall or a mistimed movement can result in a big fall.
A Metro spokesman said: "The safety of people using its West Yorkshire bus stations is Metro’s uppermost consideration but unfortunately there are on occasions people such as these youths determined to put themselves at risk.
"Our security staff, whose role is to help ensure the comfort and safety of passengers using the bus station, did spot this incident and called out to those taking part to get down from the fence and will be keeping any eye on the situation in the future."
Michael Corley, a spokesman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: "Parkour, or free running, is one of the fastest growing – yet least understood – sports in the UK.
"Because it is a physically demanding activity we would advise newcomers to join an experienced group or to take part in training sessions.
"Our concern is that young people who don’t have the necessary skills might be tempted to copy what more experienced parkouristes do.
"This would put them at risk of injury – anything from twisted knees or ankles to serious falls.
"It’s also important that people don’t feel pressured into doing something they’re not comfortable with.
"There are also issues of trespass to consider and of becoming associated with groups that are simply out to make a nuisance of themselves.
