Men who tried to flee Victoria in Perth-bound freight train sent back across the border

Four men who tried to stowaway in a freight train from Melbourne to Perth were sent back after a court appearance in Adelaide.

Four stowaways who attempted to enter Adelaide on a train were escorted by police at Adelaide Airport. Naomi Jellicoe/ NCA NewsWire

Four men who tried to sneak out of Victoria by stowing away on a freight train bound for Perth have been sent back across the border.

The four men faced $20,000 in fines for breaching COVID-19 restrictions, but walked away from court on Wednesday afternoon without penalty.

The men aged 22, 26, 29 and 29 tested negative to the virus and were escorted by police to Adelaide Airport on Thursday for extradition on a flight back to Melbourne.

In court, they claimed they did not know about South Australia’s border restrictions.

Four stowaways who attempted to enter Adelaide on a train were escorted by police at Adelaide Airport after staying at The Pullman Hotel for extradition on a flight to Melbourne this evening. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Naomi Jellicoe

The men are sent packing back to Victoria. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Naomi Jellicoe

A magistrate chose not to convict the men who were released on $1000 bonds.

The group was escorted by police from Adelaide City Watch House to The Pullman Hotel to undergo mandatory quarantine in South Australia.

The train departed Melbourne about 10.30pm on Tuesday, with the men spotted on-board the train at Adelaide Freight Terminal at Regency Park on Wednesday morning.

One of the stowaways is taken to The Pullman Hotel for quarantine. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe/ NCA NewsWire