1990 Photo Contest, Daily Life, 1st prize
Photographer

Miguel Fairbanks

01 January, 1989

Original caption from World Press Photo (2004)

Train surfing in Rio de Janeiro: Jose Minenes de Lira (14) was killed instantly when he hit the 3,300 volt wire and was thrown from the train while train surfing. For a 'surfista' this was a typical death. The sport of train surfing, cost 144 youths their lives in one year.

 

As part of a review of our online archive, some images have limited access to protect the privacy of the individuals photographed. This image is only available on request for research purposes. Please request access by emailing our team. Read more about our work on our online archive. 

More information
Through a Glass Darkly, by Robert Godden, published on Witness in September 2017
How should vulnerable children be represented in the media? Are we guilty of applying different ethical standards dependent on the race, ethnicity, nationality, location, gender or class of the child? Robert Godden explores these questions and provides guidelines for photojournalists and organizations. 

About the photographer

Miguel Fairbanks

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