North Melbourne Station: New details after year 7 student pulled onto tracks

Fresh new details have emerged after a year 7 student was pulled onto train tracks in a traumatic incident that left him in hospital.

St Aloysius College issued a fresh statement on Tuesday confirming the boy remains under medical care following the incident at North Melbourne Station on Monday afternoon.

A St Aloysius College spokeswoman said the student had been standing with friends near the edge of platform 6 when his bag became caught as a train arrived.

“The college has received no information to suggest the student was attempting to retrieve a mobile phone from the tracks,” the spokeswoman said.

“We have been advised that the student’s bag became caught between the train carriages, which subsequently pulled him onto the tracks.”

The boy was reportedly dragged several metres before becoming trapped underneath the train for up to an hour.

The new information came after earlier reporting suggested the boy may have been trying to retrieve a phone before the incident unfolded, which the school said was incorrect.

Principal Mary Farah described the incident as serious and praised the swift actions of students who witnessed the event, with one pressing the emergency button and contacting triple-0 while others communicated with transport authorities.

“The college commends the calm and responsible actions of the students involved,” Ms Farah said.

Emergency services and transport officials arrived quickly and carried out emergency procedures before freeing the boy from the train.

An Ambulance Victoria spokesman said the boy was assessed and treated by intensive care and advanced life support paramedics at the scene.

“A boy with a serious lower body injury was transported by road ambulance to the Royal Children’s Hospital,” the spokesman said.

He is understood to be in a serious but stable condition.

Ms Farah said senior members of the college leadership team, including the year 7 leader, rushed to the scene to support students who witnessed the incident.

“As of 8.30am this morning, the student remains under medical care. The college’s thoughts, prayers and support are with the student and their family,” she said.

The school said counselling and wellbeing support had been offered to students, staff and families affected.

The college also thanked emergency services and asked for privacy for the student and his family.

“St Aloysius College extends its sincere gratitude to first responders and emergency services personnel who attended the scene and acknowledges the calm, responsible and decisive actions taken by students present during this distressing situation,” Ms Farah said.