Pokemon Go player risks electrocution on SkyTrain tracks

Metro Vancouver's Transit Police are warning Pokemon Go players to stay safe, after a player risked electrocution by jumping onto the SkyTrain tracks to capture one of the virtual monsters.

Two young men at a downtown station yesterday were on the platform when one suddenly jumped onto the tracks with his phone while the other recorded him on video, say police.

"He appeared to be playing the game. He jumped back up on the platform and the two ran out of the station before anyone could intercept them to speak with them," said Transit Police spokesperson Anne Drennan.

"This is of great concern to us. Jumping onto the guideway is extremely dangerous. There is a 600-volt charge on the sides of the tracks and should this young man have touched this area he would have been electrocuted," said Drennan.

The 20-second incident set off sensors that caused a train to emergency brake — putting other travellers at risk of being injured by the abrupt halt, she noted.

Monsters appearing on SkyTrain tracks

The incident comes as swarms of Pokemon Go players have been gathering at SkyTrain and Canada Line platforms as "hotspots" form, said Drennan.

The Broadway-City Hall, Aberdeen, Metrotown, Lougheed Main, Surrey Central and Vancouver stations have seen throngs of players with their eyes on their screens tracking footprints to lure or snag the virtual 'pocket monsters'.

Transit officers looking over players shoulders have noticed that many of the monsters the players are seeking in the virtual reality game do pop up on the SkyTrain guideways.

Drennan said she is even concerned that players might just wander off a platform because they are so entranced with the game on the screen.

"All of the world they are having problems with this type of thing as a character pops up in an unusual place that's not appropriate —  such a cemetery or in our case a place that's a safety issue."

But Drennan said yesterday's incident was the first time someone has been spotted jumping down onto the tracks to play the game.

"No virtual monster is worth risking your life for," Transit Police tweeted yesterday after the man leapt onto the tracks.