Rescue teams used a hydraulic jack to lift a light rail carriage after a teenager became trapped under a tram in Sydney last night, but the girl suffered critical injuries and was not able to be saved.
Police were called to the light rail track at George Street in Haymarket at midnight following reports a pedestrian was stuck under a tram. They arrived to find a 16-year-old girl with critical injuries.
Although emergency services managed to free and treat her, paramedics could not revive her, police said.
The girl appears to have tried to cross the street between two tram carriages, when the tram was stopped at a red light at an intersection.
The incident unfolded in front of dozens of witnesses, Nine News reported.
Superintendent of NSW Fire & Rescue, Andrew Drewberry, said the team was called just after midnight to help police free the teenager.
The rescue team lifted the 10-tonne tram carriage using hydraulic jacks, and timber shoring and high-pressure airbags to keep the carriage suspended.
The 52-year-old male driver was taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
Police established a crime scene and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The incident is the first fatality since the CBD southeast light rail line opened three years ago.
Howard Collins, the secretary of Transport for NSW, expressed the agency’s condolences on Thursday morning.
“Everyone at Transport for NSW is saddened by the death of a teenage girl at a light rail stop in central Sydney overnight,” 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.”
