Article: Child incidents at rail stations 'surge'

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Child incidents at rail stations 'surge'

Child incidents at rail stations 'surge'
October 14, 2009 - 9:14AM

AAP

Melbourne rail operator Connex says there has been a surge in potentially serious incidents involving children and babies in prams travelling on trains.

Connex head of customer services Geoff Young says there have been incidents in recent weeks where infants have narrowly avoided accidents.

"There is no clear reason as to why we have this sudden surge in incidents but it is certainly of concern," Mr Young said.

Kidsafe Victoria president Dr Mark Stokes said the recent incidents included unrestrained babies spilling from prams falling between the train and platform, runaway prams that were left with their brakes off in high winds, and pram front wheels getting caught in the gap between the train and platform.

"We are concerned about parents who leave their babies and toddlers unrestrained in prams whilst travelling on trains and getting on and off the train," Dr Stokes said.

"This leaves the child vulnerable to serious injuries if they fall from the pram."

He said rail safety will become a part of the safety talks Kidsafe staff provide at maternal and child health centres.

? 2009 AAP

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Baby hurt after pram rolled into path of train in Melbourne

Baby hurt after pram rolled into path of train in Melbourne
Article from: Herald Sun

Ashley Gardiner

October 15, 2009 06:25pm

A BABY was rushed to hospital after a pram fell onto train tracks at Ashburton station, in Melbourne, this afternoon.

Connex spokesman John Rees said a three-wheeled pram rolled off the platform into the path of an oncoming train, the Herald Sun reports.

Paramedics have taken the child to the Royal Children?s Hospital after it suffered minor injuries.

Mr Rees said Connex would investigate how the incident occurred with the help of CCTV footage.

It comes just a day after Connex and Kidsafe warned parents about the dangers of three-wheeler prams on the train network.

Services on the Alamein line have now restarted after being suspended following the incident.

Passengers have been warned to expect delays of up to 10 minutes.

Intensive care paramedic Jon Wright said they arrived to find the six-month-old baby being comforted by his mother.

"It appears that the baby was strapped into his pram which has rolled forward onto the tracks and into the path of an oncoming train," he said.

"Fortunately the train was slowing as it pulled into the station. The pram was pushed along the tracks for about 30 metres.

"The baby received a bump to his head and was distressed when we arrived. Luckily he was strapped into his pram at the time, which probably saved his life,? Mr Wright said.

He was assessed by paramedics and taken to the Royal Children?s Hospital in a stable condition.