JEFFERSON, Ore. -- A train struck a 13-year-old boy who was playing "chicken" on railroad tracks Friday night.

Kyle Clement and his friends were trying to dodge the mile-long freight train as it rolled through the small town of Jefferson, blowing its horn, authorities said.

Clement's friends left the railroad tracks, but he ran in front of it and tried to jump off the tracks at the last second, deputies said.

The train struck Clement, throwing him 30 feet off the tracks.

An ambulance rushed him to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis and a LifeFlight helicopter took him to Oregon Health & Science University.

As of 1:30 a.m. Saturday, Clement was in serious condition with multiple fractures and internal damage.

The Union Pacific Freight train struck Clement at about 9:20 p.m. at Union Street in Jefferson.

Deputies: Teen Playing Chicken Hit By Train