Man shoved onto train tracks after row over cigarette
A heated argument over a cigarette has ended with a man being hurled onto the tracks at Flinders Street Station - just moments before a train was due to arrive.
Seven News has obtained pictures of the incident, which could have easily turned deadly, if it wasn't for the actions of brave commuters.
An argument breaks out at Flinders Street station over a commuter's refusal to hand over a cigarette.
A young woman on a scooter joins in, and threatens to strike the older man.
Now surrounded by three people, he inches backwards towards the edge of the platform, before he is pushed with such force, that he is propelled head first onto the tracks.
The victim, Gary, 54, said he never saw it coming.
"To me it just came out the blue," he told Seven News reporter Brendan Roberts .
This is the first time Gary has seen the security pictures of the frightening incident.
"I assumed that I was airborne from when he pushed me. He pushed me really hard and I just thought I cleared straight over the tracks," he said.
Lying injured and barely conscious on the tracks of Melbourne's busiest station during the peak evening, Gary shudders at what could have been.
"It haunts me to think that if a train had have been coming, I probably wouldn't be here now," he said.
He saved special praise for several brave commuters who jumped onto the tracks to help him to safety.
"I saw about four or five people down there on the tracks, helping me up; they sort of just came out of nowhere to my rescue, they were great," he said.
Gary suffered a dislocated shoulder, a gash to his face and heavy bruising.
The man whose actions could have killed him, 25-year-old Adam Winsall, has appeared in court charged with reckless conduct endangering serious injury.
He says the explosive shove was fuelled by Gary calling him a 'dole bludger' when he asked for a cigarette.
In his taped police interview, Winsall told investigators that he was acting in self-defence, and he had to get in first before the victim had a chance to punch him.
"He came at me first, ready to clock me one," Winsall told police.
"I don't know me own strength."
The magistrate said the footage disproved Winsall's claim of defence and, it was only luck that prevented Gary from being struck by a train.
"I feel unlucky for being in that situation but very lucky that I got out of it, with the help of those young people who jumped down onto the tracks," Gary said.
"I suppose 'hero' is maybe a bit of a strong word, but they pretty much saved my life."
Winsall will return to court in July.
