Terrifying moment man in wheelchair falls onto Melbourne train tracks
CCTV cameras have captured the terrifying moment a man in a wheelchair fell off a train station platform.
Gary Stapleton and his wife Sue, who both use electric wheelchairs, were waiting for a train in Melbourne’s north when the 62-year-old suddenly lost control of his wheelchair.
Footage shows Mr Stapleton, who suffers from a degenerative brain disease, abruptly veering to the right of the platform before tipping over the edge on April 16.
As he plummets onto the tracks below at Jacana Station, Mrs Stapleton can be seen calling for help.
"It happened so quick, I didn't have time to think," Mr Stapleton told Channel Nine.
Fortunately for the couple, a group of good Samaritans jumped into action.
Without pausing, two men dropped onto the tracks and lifted Mr Stapleton back onto the platform.
Within minutes, other commuters had rallied to work together to push his wheelchair up off the train lines.
While the incident unfolded, rail workers at a nearby control centre were quick to raise the emergency call.
All trains to the area were stopped immediately, including one approaching the station.
Couple wanting to thank good Samaritan rescuers
While Mr Stapleton escaped without injury, it was a devastating incident for the couple who were grieving the loss of their grandson who had suddenly died just days earlier.
“He [Gary] wasn’t concentrating, we had just lost our grandson, we couldn’t concentrate,” Mrs Stapleton told Channel Nine.
The couple is now hoping to find those who helped them in their moment of need.
“If it wasn't for them, I might not be here," Mr Stapleton added.
Metro Trains Melbourne has also heralded the quick-thinking passengers who leapt into action.
“We thank the bystanders that were able to come to the aid of this man and help him get back on the platform,” Adrian Rowland, General Manager of Safety Operations told Channel Nine.
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