Man dies after train hits car
A man has died after his car became wedged underneath a passenger train at Kooyong this morning.
The elderly man became trapped in the vehicle after it was hit by a train at a level crossing in Toorak Road shortly after 10.30am.
The car was pushed around 150 metres up the track.
MFB crews spent several hours trying to free the man from the wreckage using hydraulic equipment to lift the train off the car, but he died at the scene.
Nearby workers saw the car turn onto the wrong side of the road and approach the tracks.
Colin Diver was among the first on the scene and said the man, believed to be in his seventies, appeared to be confused.
He told 7News: "Some ladies were trying to stop him from getting onto the tracks, but before they knew it he was already half-way out and then got cleaned up.
"The ladies were screaming at him and banging on his window to tell him to stop but he was confused."
The crash is causing major delays for commuters on the Glen Waverly line, with services suspended between Burnley and Darling.
Replacement bus services are running, while Toorak Road is closed between the Monash Freeway and Glenferrie Road.
Meanwhile, a pedestrian was struck and killed by a train at Aspendale Station causing major delays on the Frankston line.
Replacement bus services are operating between Mordialloc and Frankston.
The tragedies join a string of horrific accidents over the weekend.
Newspapers are reporting that Sunday school teacher Bishoy Bishay, 30, was opening a car door for his fiancee Erina Takla when he was hit and and killed by a passing car at Ringwood.
The victim was standing by the driver's seat door of the parked car when he was struck. He died at the scene.
Miss Takla, who was sitting in the driver's seat, suffered serious leg injuries, and is recovering in hospital.
The pair were due to marry in January next year.
A 20-year-old Croydon Hills man is helping police with their enquiries.
Just last night, Olivia Wright passed away in hospital following a horror smash in which five young people died, including her twin sister Caroline.
The sisters were in a car with three friends when it smashed into a truck at Penshurst, killing everyone involved.
In a statement today, her family say they are devastated but comforted by the knowledge Olivia's organs will be donated to help save others.
For the full report see the 7News bulletin @ 6pm.
