A young boy is in critical condition after being pulled by a train for a distance in an unusual occurrence. The incident took place when the Year 7 student was at a railway station platform in North Melbourne, Australia, on Monday afternoon. His backpack got caught between the train carriages as he tried to retrieve his phone, leading to him being struck by the train, dragged, and trapped under it in front of shocked onlookers, including fellow students.
Emergency responders from Fire and Rescue Victoria utilized a hydraulic jack to lift the train and rescue the boy, who sustained severe lower body injuries. The extraction process lasted around 45 minutes to an hour. Following the rescue operation, the boy was attended to by eight paramedics before being swiftly transported to the Royal Children’s Hospital in critical condition with lights and sirens.
The injured boy is undergoing treatment for his significant lower leg injuries, which Ambulance Victoria described as a highly distressing scene. Paramedic Alex Hemsley commended the swift actions of the responders, emphasizing the high-quality care provided to the young patient during what was likely one of the most traumatic experiences of his life.
Support services are being offered to the first responders to help them cope with the incident. The principal of St Aloysius College, the boy’s school, sent out an email to students and parents after the event to extend support and urge vigilance regarding the students’ well-being. While specific details about the student’s condition remain limited, paramedics are optimistic about his chances of a full recovery.