Former RAH trauma doctor comes to aid of cyclist hit at North Adelaide

An ex-trauma doctor was in the right place at the right time when he came to the aid of a cyclist hit by a train at North Adelaide. The bike rider remains in hospital. Picture: 9 News

A West Lakes Shore man remains in hospital with serious injuries after being hit by a train at a level crossing at North Adelaide.

About 5.20pm on Thursday, the 64-year-old was riding his bike when he crossed the tracks and was struck by the train on the Gawler line.

A former trauma doctor from the RAH, Dr Bill Griggs was one of the first people on the scene to provide assistance to the man, who was critically injured.

Dr Griggs said he was waiting on the other side of the tracks when the incident occurred.

“I arrived on the opposite side of the train to where the person was lying and there was a police officer and paramedic there and I was eventually able to get their attention,” he told ABC Radio Adelaide on Friday.

“I just helped out, a number of other ambulances arrived, a Medstar team arrived and I was just part of a team that helped out.”

JUST IN: Emergency crews are on the scene of an incident involving a cyclist and a train at North Adelaide.

The Gawler line has been shut in both directions between Adelaide and Mawson Lakes.

See the full story, 6pm on #9Newspic.twitter.com/szvUelSUwn

— 9News Adelaide (@9NewsAdel) June 23, 2022

He said he was not a hero.

“I was just an extra pair of hands,” he said.

“I‘ve responded to events where there have been other paramedics, doctors or people who have stopped to help and often it is those people who witnessed something or who have come across the scene that can do something that’s helpful and make a big difference.”

The cyclist was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital where he was in a serious condition and expected to undergo surgery.

“My heart does go out to the cyclist involved and to his family and loved ones but also to the driver of the train,” he said.

“Trains are one of those things that you don’t want to be involved in a collision with. Whether you’re on foot, on a bike or in a car, the train always wins.”

A witness told 9 News he saw the “train hit the bike ... and the bike flew up in the air”.

The Gawler train line was closed in both directions between Adelaide and Mawson Lakes into the evening. It has since reopened.

Passengers on the Gawler line were diverted to substitute buses after the incident at about 5.20.