Wynnum stations top list for dangerous train track jumping and ‘playing chicken’

Daredevil rail track jumpers, including children, are risking death captured in shocking new CCTV footage that Queensland Rail says shows a rising trend in reckless, near-fatal track stunts.

Children as young as eight “playing chicken” on train tracks, a person darting from one platform to another dodging two trains, a man sitting down on the side of the track and another jumping onto a train line seconds before a commuter train pulls into a station.

These are some of the hundreds of cases Queensland Rail has captured on an alarming video released in an effort to highlight the dangers of the risqué behaviour and the effect it has on the rail network.

Queensland Rail issued its stark warning following a surge in dangerous trespassing incidents and people walking on train tracks, particularly at Wynnum North and Wynnum Central stations.

An aggrieved station master.

In 2024, the two bayside stations recorded the highest number of trespassing events in Southeast Queensland, with 165 and 157 incidents respectively.

The newly released CCTV footage from 2024 reveals alarming behaviours, including individuals darting across tracks to catch trains, jumping on to tracks to retrieve a dropped skateboard, and loitering on the rails, oblivious to oncoming trains.

In one chilling clip, a person narrowly escapes being hit by a train by seconds while attempting to cross multiple tracks.

Another shows an individual leaping onto the tracks to pick up a skateboard, barely avoiding an approaching train.

In 2024, Queensland Rail reported 3845 trespassing incidents across its network, resulting in 197 near misses.

A child is helped up on a platform after a group crossed the tracks at Darra train station in December. Picture: QR

These figures mark an increase from 2023, when 3780 incidents were reported along with 218 close calls.

Queensland Rail classified the illegal actions as “trespassing” and said it endangered the individuals as well as passengers and Queensland Rail staff and could result in fines of more than $322.

Queensland Rail senior manager security and emergency preparedness Drew Brock said track jumpers would be caught on the network’s 12,000 CCTV cameras with stations also patrolled by railway squad officers, security and emergency teams, authorised officers and private security guards.

They have been playing with fire.

“Tracks are not playgrounds, and if you’re on them, it’s like playing chicken with a train,” he said.

“Stay off the tracks, allow plenty of time to get to your train, and if you drop something, speak to station staff who can retrieve it safely.

“These incidents are traumatic for train drivers, station staff, and customers but are entirely preventable. We want everyone, including our train drivers and customers, to get home safely.

“Near miss incidents can have a lasting, traumatic impact on drivers and staff.”

Drivers who experience a near miss are given extensive support from Queensland Rail, which may include immediate relief from duties, extended paid leave and access to trauma counselling.

■ To report unsafe behaviour, individuals can inform Queensland Rail staff, use help buttons on trains and platforms, or call triple-0 in emergencies.

Originally published as Wynnum stations top list for dangerous train track jumping and ‘playing chicken’