Sydney Metro train takes off with toddler in pram onboard on his own
A distraught mother has been separated from her two-year-old boy when one of Sydney's new driverless trains took off from a station without her on board.
The toddler travelled alone in his pram for more than 10 minutes on Thursday afternoon after the doors of the Metro service sep
Bystanders and staff guarded the toddler until the train reached Epping station where the two-year-old was taken off the service.
“The parent was with a staff member, who was in constant contact with another staff member who was with the child,” a Sydney Metro spokesperson to Yahoo News Australia.
Staff escorted the distressed mother to Epping station where she was reunited with her son, 13 minutes after they were separated.
A Sydney Metro spokesperson apologised for the distress caused and told AAP the incident is being investigated.
The $7.3 billion Sydney Metro has been plagued with problems since it began operating in May.
There have been 30 incidents including train doors malfunctioning and delays caused by urgent mechanical repairs, track work and improperly working fire alarms and lifts.
Sydney Metro said that in this case, the doors performed “as they are designed, like metro train systems all around the world”.
Sydney Metro told Yahoo News Australia that although several safety features are onboard the modern driverless railway, the incident is a timely reminder to all customers.
“To be aware of their personal safety around train doors, especially for parents with young children.”
—With AAP
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