How hero teen saved Huntingdale train stabbing victim with beanie

A “remarkable” Killester College student heroically jumped on a train to help an innocent man who was allegedly slashed in the face by youths at Huntingdale station.

A “remarkable” Melbourne high school student has recounted the terrifying moment she witnessed a man being stabbed in the face by a group of youths in Melbourne’s southeast, before she heroically ran to his aid.

Brooklyn, 17, was travelling on the train from the city on Thursday when a group of boys started to cause trouble.

The group of at least four teenagers were walking up and down her carriage while yelling and screaming at passengers before they started targeting one man.

The menacing behaviour prompted one panicked passenger to push the emergency button to alert the driver, who stopped the train at Huntingdale station about 6.40pm.

Fearful of what could happen, Brooklyn told the Saturday Herald Sun she started to hurry off the train to remove herself from the situation before she heard a scream coming from another carriage and caught a glimpse of a man cowering on the ground.

“The group was kicking and punching him and then one of the boys picked him up and pushed him against the door.”

She watched in horror as one of the boys then allegedly raised a knife to the man’s face and slashed him across the cheek.

Brooklyn said her gut instinct urged her to jump back on the train and assist the man. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Her instincts kicked in and while everybody else stepped away, and some started filming on their phones, she courageously rushed back on the train to help the injured man.

“The boy with the knife ran off right past me,” she said.

“Everyone else on the train stepped back and were recording, they weren’t doing anything.

“Another woman called the police and I was with the man on the floor.”

The year 12 Killester College student said blood was sprayed everywhere.

“The man’s face was bleeding and we were frantically trying to find something to put on his cheek,” she said.

“He got gashed pretty badly, I got blood all over me, there was blood all over the train.”

Brooklyn stayed with the man for half an hour, pressing a beanie and tissue into his deep wound to stop the bleeding.

She said the man cried in agony and claimed he didn’t know the alleged offenders.

“The boys asked him where he was getting off on the train and he didn’t want to tell them,” she said.

“That’s when they started beating him, he didn’t know them at all.”

Two 16-year-old boys and a 17-year-old boy were charged with intentionally causing injury and affray after handing themselves into police.

All three of them were bailed to appear at a children’s court at a later date.

A fourth teen remained on the run as of Friday afternoon.

Huntingdale station is located in Melbourne’s southeast. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Although the grisly scene was confronting, Brooklyn said her gut instinct urged her to jump back on the train and assist the man.

“I just wanted to help him, I felt really bad for him, he didn’t deserve it,” she said.

“I woke up at 2am thinking about the situation, it’s a lot.”

Brooklyn’s mother Michelle said her daughter was always willing to help those in need.

“I’m so proud of her for her bravery and quick actions to support the man and comfort him in his time of need,” she said.

“She has a big heart and would always assist someone vulnerable which is something special in this day and age.

“More people should think of others … we need more community spirit to look after one another and to push the point that this is not acceptable.”

Killester College principal Sally Buick described Brooklyn’s efforts as “remarkable”.

“We are incredibly proud of Brooke, she went to the aid of someone that was injured and was able to render assistance very quickly,” she said.

“I worry about young people seeing these horrible acts of violence and committing these acts of violence, but in terms of Brooke she is a really impressive, delightful young woman and we are proud of what she has done.”

Ms Buick has contacted Brooklyn to check on her wellbeing following the incident.

“She has been provided with contact details of staff she can contact over the holidays if she needs support,” she said.

The 31-year-old victim remains in a stable condition at Dandenong Hospital.