By Laura Wakely
A TEENAGE girl has died after being struck by a train in St Albans in a tragic start to the school term.
Police believe the 15-year-old Cairnlea girl tried to cross the tracks at a level crossing near Ginifer Station when she was hit by a train at around 7.44am on Monday morning.
Ambulance Victoria spokesperson Paul Bentley said advanced life support paramedics found the girl in cardiac arrest.
“They treated her for about 10 minutes but unfortunately she died at the scene,” Mr Bentley said.
The incident comes after Brimbank City Council launched their Stop. Think. Live campaign warning pedestrians to obey traffic signals.
Supported by the TAC, the campaign was launched at the beginning of October after the council found 83 pedestrians were killed in the St Albans area, with the majority of the fatalities occurring near railway stations.
The campaign involves safety message mail-outs, street signs and a YouTube clip and will run for the month of October.
Metro suspended services on the Sydenham line in both directions between Sydenham and Sunshine for almost three hours on Monday morning.
Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the website www.crimestoppers.com.au
