American critically injured while train-hopping from Darwin to Melbourne
An American traveller is in a critical condition after he caught his leg on a freight train he was hitching a ride on.
The 29, year old is being treated in Royal Adelaide Hospital following the incident on a Melbourne-bound train yesterday.
Authorities have contacted his family in the US to keep them updated on his condition.
Rail safety authorities have since said ‘train-hopping’ is becoming a worldwide problem and have called for tighter regulations and bigger penalties for offenders.
South Australian police told Seven News the man was travelling south from Darwin to Melbourne when he got his leg caught in the train as he tried to disembark at Wingfeld.
“It really is a tragedy for the young man involved he has been seriously, seriously injured,” TrackSAFE Chairman Bob Herbert said.
Train-hopping has become a cheap way to travel Australia for the adventurous.
“We had a young fellow a few years ago go from Perth to Adelaide on the back of a train filming himself and he was fined $165 for trespass,” Mr Herbert said.
Offenders face up to six months imprisonment or a $2500 maximum fine, but it seems more of a deterrent is needed.
Statistics show there have been 4000 train near misses nationally with 136 trespasses ending in death or injury.
Unfortunately it’s rail staff who are left to deal with the trauma.
The number of train-hoppers is unknown for now.
“It’s hard to get a total handle on it because a lot go undetected,” Mr Herbert said.
Australian rail has confirmed counseling has been provided for rail staff following Thursday night’s incident.
