Injured teen may have 'car surfed'

MARCH 15: A Banora Point teenager is in a stable condition after falling from a car on Saturday night. Police say he may have been 'car surfing'.

A BANORA Point teenager critically injured on Saturday when he fell off the back of a moving vehicle may have been “car surfing”, police say.

Tweed Heads Police were yesterday investigating reports of youths car surfing in and around Banora Point just before the 17-year-old fell off the back of a car and hit his head on the road in Botanical Circuit about 12.30am.

Car surfing involves a person standing on the hood, trunk or roof of a vehicle while it is in motion.

Sergeant Rob Taylor said investigations were ongoing.

“We did have reports of youths car surfing in and around Botanical Circuit with a different car just before the incident occurred,” Sgt Taylor said.

“There are no witnesses to the event in question, however.

“We’re still investigating and waiting to speak with the injured teenager, the driver of the vehicle and anyone else who may have been involved.”

The incident occurred when an unknown car pulled up near the teenager and a group of friends.

As the vehicle started driving away from the group, the teenager jumped on the back; however, as the car gained speed, he lost his grip and fell backwards on to the roadway, striking his head and briefly losing consciousness.

The driver of the vehicle – possibly a green, late-model Mitsubishi Lancer – did not stop at the scene.

Police from Tweed Byron Local Area Command and New South Wales Ambulance paramedics attended the scene.

The injured youth was taken to The Tweed Hospital in an agitated state.

His condition deteriorated and he was transferred to the Gold Coast Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit in a critical condition.

He was moved from the ICU yesterday and was no longer listed as critical.

“He is conscious and coherent,” Sgt Taylor said.

It is unsure how fast the vehicle was travelling or if any charges would be laid.

Sgt Taylor said they had rarely received reports of car surfing in the Tweed.

“We only really know about it when they come unstuck like this,” Sgt Taylor said.

“He’s very lucky. He had bleeding on the brain and came close to dying.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information that might assist police is urged to contact Tweed Heads Police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.