Boy trapped under train in North Melbourne had backpack caught on carriage
Updated ,first published
A 7th grade student who was trapped under a train at North Melbourne station on Monday fell onto the tracks after her school bag got stuck in the carriage.
“He was standing at the edge of the platform with his fellow students when the train arrived at the station,” St Aloysius College principal Mary Farah said in a note to parents on Tuesday. he said.
“The student had his back to the track and his school bag got stuck in the train, causing the student to fall onto the track.”
Farah said another student pressed the emergency button on the platform to alert station staff and called Triple Zero, while other students spoke with transportation officials. The school principal said he is in close communication with the family of the injured student, who suffered injuries to his lower body and remains in the hospital.
“Platform 6 was quite crowded with a large number of students from St Aloysius College as well as students from other nearby schools,” Farah said.
In a statement to the media, Farah said the school’s thoughts and prayers are with the student and his family.
“The well-being of students, staff and the community remains the university’s priority,” he said.
St Aloysius staff were informed of the incident on Tuesday morning and stood at the school gates when pupils arrived.
Emergency services worked for up to an hour to rescue the teenager from under the train on Monday afternoon.
Ambulance Victoria paramedic Alex Hemsley said in a statement on Monday evening that eight paramedics, along with firefighters, safely removed the child from under the train.
“Even though we are all trained to do this job, [it was a] “It’s a very traumatic scene for everyone involved,” he said.
The child was taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital in a critical condition. A hospital spokesman said his condition was serious but stable on Tuesday morning.
Metro Trains said the incident was under investigation.
“This is a tragic accident involving a young student and our thoughts are with his family, friends and the school community,” a spokesman said. “We would like to thank our emergency services and staff for their quick response.”
Rail, Tram and Bus Union Victoria branch secretary Vik Sharma said the incident was an important reminder for people to be careful and safe on trains.
“Railroad workers are often among the first responders in traumatic situations, and such incidents place a heavy burden on drivers, station staff, warrant officers, signalmen and everyone else involved in response and rescue efforts,” said Sharma.
“ [union] has been on the ground to support members and will continue to provide assistance to affected workers and their families. “Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones affected by this tragic incident.”
The Office of National Rail Safety Regulation said it sent rail safety officers to North Melbourne on Monday to investigate the scene and requested information from Metro about the incident.
Last month, a 12-year-old student was dragged across the road by a bus in Wheelers Hill, south-east of Melbourne, after her bag became stuck in the vehicle’s folding doors. The boy’s mother said her son was only released after the bus driver noticed and pulled over at the next stop.
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Angus Delaney is a reporter for The Age. Email him at angus.delaney@theage.com.au or contact him securely on Signal at angusdelaney.31.Connect via email.
Patrick Hatch is a transport correspondent for The Age and a former business correspondent.Connect with: X or email.
