‘Help her’: Passengers’ horror as teen trapped under tram
A 16-year-old girl has died after becoming trapped under a tram and dragged for up to 100 metres in Sydney’s Chinatown.
Emergency services were called to George Street in the Haymarket district about midnight on Wednesday following reports the girl was trapped under the light rail tram.
Police rescue squad officers and Fire and Rescue crew worked for two hours to free the critically injured girl, but she was unable to be saved.
Police said the 16-year-old was climbing through the exterior coupling that connects the tram carriages, as she crossed the tracks while the tram had halted.
When the tram started moving from the Goulburn Street intersection, the girl was trapped, police said.
Witnesses have reported she was dragged for about 100 metres, as her horrified friend watched and screamed for help.
The light rail driver heard the screams and halted the tram at the Chinatown station. Terrified passengers also tried to help the stricken teenager.
“We were screaming, ‘help her, help her’, so the police and paramedic medical rushed to the spot,” one witness said.
Footage of the rescue showed emergency crews using hydraulic tools and wooden blocks to lift the tram.
The 52-year-old tram driver was taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
Transport for NSW secretary Howard Collins issued a statement on Thursday extending condolences to the girl’s family.
“Everyone at Transport for NSW is saddened by the death of a teenage girl at a light rail stop in central Sydney overnight,” he said.
“We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and loved ones.
“We thank emergency services, staff and anyone who rendered assistance for their efforts last night, and we will provide our staff with the support they need.”
-with AAP