Shocking footage shows near-misses on Melbourne’s train network

Footage of a person walking into a level-crossing and a commuter stumbling off a platform into the path of a train has alarmed transport authorities.

Footage of a distracted pedestrian walking into a closed level-crossing and a commuter stumbling off a railway platform into the path of an approaching train has alarmed transport authorities who are stunned at the reckless acts.

Shocking vision of pedestrians’ near-misses with trains on Melbourne’s rail network has prompted a new warning over the dangers of taking dumb risks.

Three incidents from this year have been captured on station CCTV, with one man walking past lowered boom gates as a train approaches Prahran station. He remains on the tracks until the train passes.

A pedestrian walks into a level-crossing as a train approaches Prahran station early in 20222

In another incident, a person immersed in their smartphone, walks off the platform at Southern Cross station, falling into the path of an arriving train on May 3.

Fortunately, the driver was able to stop the train in time and the man suffered only minor injuries.

And at Parliament station on June 1, a passenger slips between the train and the platform and rescued by alert station staff.

The cases are just three of more that 380 slips, trips and falls recorded across the metropolitan rail network in the past 12 months. More than half of those incidents resulted in someone being injured. Many other cases will have gone unnoticed.

A passenger falls from a train at Parliament station on June 1, 2022

To mark Rail Safety Week, a survey has revealed that the most common risky behaviour included standing too close to moving trains, walking across a level-crossing while on the phone and walking through a level-crossing when lights were flashing.

Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll said improvements such as removing level crossings and installing safety fencing, were being made to improve the network.

“We can all do some simple things to stay safe – including staying behind the yellow line and avoiding distractions on station platforms and level-crossings.”

“Passengers are unnecessarily putting themselves at risk by running across active crossings, standing too close to moving trains or simply being distracted and falling onto train tracks.’’

A total of 65 level-crossings have been removed under the state government’s program, with another 20 to go.

Metro Trains chief executive Raymond O’Flaherty said all passengers needed to be aware of their surroundings to travel safely.

“It’s important to look both ways before you cross train tracks and not try to beat the gate. One shortcut or distraction can affect your life forever.

Trespassers also continue to be a problem – with more than 2800 incidents recorded across the train network last year.

The rail safety warnings sparked memories of the award-winning Dumb Ways to Die public campaign conducted by Metro Trains 10 years ago.

Metro said that it led to a 30 per cent reduction in near-misses.

Dumb Ways to Die later became a game on a smartphone app.