An elderly man who was hit by the popular Cockle Train on the heritage and tourist railway line south of Adelaide has died at the scene, police have said.
Key points:
- The male pedestrian was hit by the Cockle Train at about 3:20pm
- The collision occurred on the outskirts of Victor Harbor along the beachfront heritage line
- Police said the elderly victim died at the scene
Police and ambulance crews were called to Hayward Street at McCracken, near Victor Harbor, following reports a pedestrian had been struck by the train about 3:20pm.
“Sadly, an 87-year-old man from overseas, died at the scene,” police confirmed Thursday afternoon.
Police are investigating the incident and said the driver of the train, which had about 150 passengers onboard at the time, is assisting with their enquiries.
The rail line, which is metres from the beach and runs along the south coast, is used by heritage rail operator SteamRanger and is popular with tourists.
SteamRanger said the Cockle Train, which runs several times each day, was heading in the direction of Victor Harbor at the time of the incident.
It said the collision had occurred “on the railway track adjacent to the Hayborough Beach”, and that rail safety authorities had examined the site.
Cockle Train passengers remained on the train until they were transferred to buses, while the train driver was taken to hospital for mandatory checks and for shock, SteamRanger said.
The SA Ambulance Service said it helped one passenger off the train.
A witness earlier told the ABC they heard the ambulances and saw crews performing CPR.
Along the stretch of railway where the incident occurred, beachgoers have to cross the track — which is flanked by dense shrubbery — to get to the shore.
Police have urged anyone who witnessed the incident and has not yet spoken to police to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.
Many road level crossings along the heritage railway line do not have boom gates, while some are also without flashing lights.
In June last year, the Cockle Train was involved in a crash with a truck along the line at Middleton that left several passengers with minor injuries.
The previous year, a woman and her two children avoided injury when their car collided with a train on the same line.
SteamRanger said the Cockle Train service would resume Friday.
“SAPOL and the Office of National Rail Safety Regulator representatives have concluded their initial site investigations and have released the Cockle Train back into service,” it said.