Train injuries on rise in hols alert

Minister for Transport and Roads, Andrew Constance, revealed close to 200 children were injured in the past 12 months on the network.
“School holidays are naturally an exciting time for many families, but sadly it is also a time when the number of accidents on the network dramatically increases,” Mr Constance said.
“Regrettably, a lot of those incidents were preventable and one child injured on the network is one too many.
“As a parent I know how hard it can be to juggle travel with young children, but a simple thing such as holding your child’s hand when moving around stations and boarding a train can help prevent them from being seriously injured or worse.”
The most common incident involving children is falling in the gap between the train and the platform, followed by accidents involving Opal barriers, and incidents of children slipping, tripping, or falling around train stations.
Sydney Trains Chief Executive Howard Collins says that incidents are most common at some of the busiest stations on the network, with over half occurring across Town Hall, Circular Quay and Central stations.
“The most important message I’d like to share with parents is please don’t rush around stations or platforms – we now have more trains services than ever before, so the next train is only a few minutes away,” he said.
“Station staff are on hand to help at Sydney Trains stations and are only too happy to help you and your family as you move around the concourses and platforms.”