Train incident in Upwey: Baby dead, woman under police guard

Witnesses have described harrowing scenes after a baby girl was killed by a train at Upwey, with her mother now under police guard in hospital.

Emergency workers at the scene in Upwey. Picture: Tony Gough

Floral tributes continue to grow at the site of a fatal train crash in Upwey which claimed the life of a three-month-old baby girl.

Flowers and toys, including a teddy bear that says ‘I love you’, have been left at the scene by distraught community members.

A sign saying ‘Forever loved beautiful baby girl’ was left by Louise Adams and her daughter Sookie, 6.

“It was such a shock, we actually lost our little baby at birth so we know what loss is like,” Ms Adams said

“I just can’t even imagine what the mum is going through and the rest of the family.

“In our community, in Upwey, it’s even more of a shock because we really pride ourselves on being a community that really supports each other.”

A sign left by Louise Adams and her six-year-old daughter, Sookie. Picture Rebecca Michael.

Floral tributes to a baby girl killed after being hit by a train at Upwey continue to grow. Picture: Rebecca Michael.

Mum of two Rachel left colourful ribbons, a soft toy and a children’s book at the scene. She said she was devastated to hear the baby had died.

It comes as eyewitnesses described a “chaotic” scene in the aftermath of the incident.

The little girl’s mother, who had her in a pram at the time, remains at the Royal Melbourne hospital in a stable condition under police guard.

Homicide detectives continue to probe the tragic circumstances of the rail incident which has devastated the tight-knit community in Melbourne’s outer east.

A pram at the scene of the tragedy in Upwey. Picture: Tony Gough

First responded Daniel Parton said it was a “chaotic” scene in the frantic minutes after the horror collision.

“There was a nurse and a guy doing CPR on the baby,” he said.

“The woman (the baby’s mother) was complaining about a sore shoulder. At some point when the cops arrived she picked up a rock and started trying to hurt herself. She went a bit spare when she realised what was going on.”

Detectives have combed the area for CCTV to assist them with their investigation as well as speaking to eyewitnesses in the vicinity of the scene leading up to the incident.

Police and paramedics on Sunday night. Picture: Tony Gough

They will also work with transit detectives to eliminate any fault of the train driver.

At least two dozen emergency services personnel including Victoria Police, Ambulance, CFA and SES crews attended the scene about 5.10pm on Sunday.

A giant bear and flowers were placed on the railway bridge at Kumbada Ave on Monday morning.

Resident John Martin said he heard “a lot of noise” at the time and said nearby Glenfern road had become “dangerous”.

Upwey resident Ian Snell said locals were reeling from news of the “shocking” incident.

“It’s terrible, we’re all very down about it, there’s no doubt about that,” he said.

The incident occurred in Upwey just after 5pm. Picture: Tony Gough

A giant teddy bear was placed at the railway bridge at Kumbada Ave on Monday morning. Picture Rebecca Michael

“I’m hoping it was a terrible accident and not something else.

“I’ve never seen anyone walk across the tracks or an accident at this intersection in about 30 years.”

A woman named Victoria, no surname, left a floral tribute at the scene.

“I’ve got two little girls and it’s just really sad, she said.

A Victoria Police spokesman said “all possibilities are being investigated” at this stage and no charges had been laid.