EXCLUSIVE: Teenage girl killed after being trapped underneath a tram was ‘dragged for more than 200m’ – as shocking new details emerge about how the incident unfolded: ‘She was just 16’
- Girl hit by tram and dragged for 200m
- Was freed from tracks but died at scene
- Distraught passengers witnessed tragedy
A teenage girl has been killed after becoming trapped under a light rail tram and dragged for 200 metres in Sydney’s CBD.
The incident unfolded at midnight on Wednesday evening, with emergency crews called to the scene to desperately try and save the critically-injured 16-year-old.
Witnesses told Daily Mail Australia the girl had tried to cross the tracks between two carriages when the tram was stopped at a red light at the near the light rail stop in Chinatown.
When the tram suddenly started moving, she became trapped under one of the carriages and was dragged up the road before the driver came to a stop.
Police and fire crews battled for nearly two hours to free the girl from the tracks, but she later died at the scene.
NSW Police officers and firefighters worked frantically to free the girl trapped under a tram carriage, but she died at the scene
Shocked witnesses have described how the horror incident unfolded
Mohammed Aqil Abdulla, 29, was working the night shift at TSG Tobacco Station near the Chinatown stop when he heard terrifying screams.
‘The tram dragged her from the lights to the next platform, roughly 200metres,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘She was stuck in between the compartments.’
Mr Abdulla said he had heard the girl had attempted to cross between carriages when the tram was stationary at traffic lights.
‘She wanted to jump from the other side, but suddenly the light changed, and she was stuck in between, he said.
‘The driver wouldn’t have seen her.’
‘Witnesses were screaming “Help her! Help her!”. The police and paramedics rushed to the spot, but I think she was dead on the spot.’
The shopkeeper added: ‘She was just 16. I feel sorry for her family, it’s so sad.
Tobacconist shore attendant Mohammed Aqil Abdulla (pictured) witnessed the horrific incident while working the night shift
The tragedy unfolded near in Haymarket near the Chinatown light rail stop
The vicinity near the Chinatown light rail stop was cordoned off for six hours in the early hours of Thursday
Another distraught witnesses said the girl was with a friend when she was hit, and that other passengers on the tram had tried to help her.
Footage from the scene showed distraught passengers being comforted and escorted away by emergency responders.
The male tram driver, 52, was taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
Police cordoned off the vicinity to establish a crime scene and investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Police spent the early hours of Thursday morning examining the scene and the tram
Light rail services resumed around 6.30am on Thursday morning in time for the morning peak hour (pictured)
The tram has since been removed from the scene as a police investigation into the tragedy continues.
Light rail services between Central and Circular Quay resumed around 6.30am on Thursday in time for the morning peak hour rush.
‘Everyone at Transport for NSW is saddened by the death of a teenage girl at a light rail stop in central Sydney overnight,’ Transport for NSW Secretary Howard Collins 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.’
George Street has reopened and light rail services resumed on Thursday morning
Police were still at the scene on Thursday morning
