'A toilet could have saved her'
The family of a 24-year-old mother hit and killed by a train in Melbourne's north are this morning struggling to come to terms with their loss.
Oli Oli Tuilau was on a family outing when she attempted to cross the tracks at Roxburgh Park Station intending to go to the toilet in scrubland opposite the platform.
But her quest turned to tragedy when she was hit by a V/Line train shortly before 7.30pm last night.
The victim's sister, Elizabeth, said she and her family watched helplessly as the train struck Ms Tuilau, killing her instantly.
She said the train seemed to come from nowhere and that warning bells or an announcement may have saved her life.
"It was too late for me to turn and tell her to get off before the train got to her," Elizabeth told 7News.
Elizabeth said her family were on their way to a concert when Oli needed to go to the toilet.
But with no facilities at the brand new station, Oli decided to go in search of grassland and crossed the tracks.
Her family say the station should have had toilets.
Oli's brother, Michael, said his sister would still be alive today if there had been public toilets open on the platform.
"Had there been a toilet on the platform, she would still be here," he said. "The simple fact is it could have saved her."
In a statement, Metro said Roxburgh Park was opened in 2007 and built without public toilet facilities.
The tragedy comes after a string of fatalities on Victoria's roads in recent weeks.
Police say people simply have to be more careful when they cross the roads and tracks.
Broadmeadows Senior Sergeant Jeff Verinder said: "A young lady was trying to cross the tracks against all the laws and rules...realised that the train was coming...that she couldn't get on the platform...turned to get away and unfortunately she was hit.
"Just another tragic loss of life for no reason at all."
Paying tribute to her sister, Elizabeth said: "She was always a laughing girl, always happy and cracked jokes.
"I could always turn to her if I needed someone, she was always there."
Within hours, the tight-knit Polynesian community had flooded a Facebook tribute page.
Too upset to speak, Oli's mother, Loma, simply said: "I ask God why does he take her."
Ms Tuilau is also survived by her two-year-old daughter Rose.
See the full report in 7News @ 6pm.
