Man who uttered just three words after being hit by a Melbourne train identified
A mystery man who has been laying in hospital for more than a month after being hit by a Melbourne train has finally been identified, police have revealed.
The man, believed to be around 65 to 75-years-old, was struck between Royal Park and Jewell railway stations in Brunswick at 6.33pm on July 7.
Despite extensive enquiries — including a DNA test and fingerprint scan — police were unable to identify the non-communicative man, who had no phone, wallet or cards on him, for weeks.
Almost 24 hours after the Transit Crime Investigation Unit released a facial composite of the man, police confirmed on Thursday afternoon that they had learnt his name.
“We will not be providing further information but would like to thank the media and the public for their assistance,” Victoria Police said in a statement.
The train driver saw the man approach the tracks and was able to slow down, but the impact still left him with significant head injuries, Transit Crime Investigation Unit Senior Constable Dean Pilati said on Wednesday.
Although hospital staff were initially concerned the man wouldn’t survive, he has since woken up and is stable but not able to communicate properly, including squeezing nurses' hands.
The extent of his injuries in terms of brain damage is unknown.
Man mumbles three words from hospital bed
From his hospital bed, the grey-haired patient was able to mumble just three words — “Roy", "Ryan” and “Coburg”.
It is unclear if he was referring to himself or someone he knows. Coburg is a suburb just north of where the incident, which is believed to be self-harm, occurred.
“We’re not sure if it’s his name or a family member’s name,” Senior Constable Pilati previously said, adding that hospital staff are unsure if “Roy” was a stutter while the man tried to pronounce “Ryan”.
Police door knocked families in the Coburg area to no avail.
New details about dead Saudi sisters reveal why they lived in fear
Desperate search for missing teen feared 'abducted from party'
The man was described as white, about 175cm tall and of medium build with a prominent mole below his left eye, no identifying scars and no tattoos.
Police said they were determined to support him.
“If I was in that position I would want my family around me and if I was that person’s family I would want to be there to support him as well,” Senior Constable Pilati said.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
