Train driver slammed for 'abandoning' blind man who fell on tracks

A metro train driver has been criticised for 'abandoning' a blind man who fell onto the tracks and suffered a concussion while trying to board a train in Victoria.

Nam Luc and his guide dog Fraser were about to board a train at Merlynston station on Saturday when Mr Luc misjudged the length of the carriage and fell onto the tracks behind the train.

He was knocked unconscious by the fall and had to be rescued by other passengers after the driver and other staff failed to notice.

“It was just like a massive blow to my body, that’s all I can describe it as,” Mr Luc told 7 News.

“A big thud, and I thought this isn’t the train, this is something else, this is the actual track.”

Alex and Natasha Close came to his rescue, helping him to safety, but they have expressed their disgust that the train driver didn't stop to help.

“Why do we have all these cameras here if they don't even pay attention to the passengers on board?” Mrs Close questioned.

When Mr Luc regained consciousness, he realised the train was gone and Fraser was still on the platform.

“I actually felt abandoned I must admit, I thought, hell, the train's left,” he said.

Without the help of his fellow passengers, Mr Luc’s situation could have ended in tragedy.

He said his only option would be to crawl to the side of the tracks in the hope that someone would rescue him – if a train hadn’t reached him first.

Metro Trains said they were investigating in incident.

“The driver at that time would have been doing his critical safety checks to move the train forward towards the city, so at this stage, our understanding is that he did not see the victim,” spokesperson Sammie Black said.

Mr Luc suffered a concussion and heavy bruising to his hip from the fall, and said he will let his trusted guide dog, Fraser, take the lead from now on.

News break – June 14