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- The male pedestrian was hit by the Cockle Train at about 3:20pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The collision occurred on the outskirts of Victor Harbor along the beachfront heritage line<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Police said the elderly victim died at the scene<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Police and ambulance crews were called to Hayward Street at McCracken, near Victor Harbor, following reports a pedestrian had been struck by the train about 3:20pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Sadly, an 87-year-old man from overseas, died at the scene,” police confirmed Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Police are investigating the incident and said the driver of the train, which had about 150 passengers onboard at the time, is assisting with their enquiries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rail line, which is metres from the beach and runs along the south coast, is used by heritage rail operator SteamRanger and is popular with tourists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Emergency services at the scene on Hayward Street at McCracken near Victor Harbor.(ABC News: Caroline Horn)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n SteamRanger said the Cockle Train, which runs several times each day, was heading in the direction of Victor Harbor at the time of the incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It said the collision had occurred “on the railway track adjacent to the Hayborough Beach”, and that rail safety authorities had examined the site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cockle Train passengers remained on the train until they were transferred to buses, while the train driver was taken to hospital for mandatory checks and for shock, SteamRanger said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The SA Ambulance Service said it helped one passenger off the train.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Police and rail safety officers will investigate the incident.(ABC News)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n A witness earlier told the ABC they heard the ambulances and saw crews performing CPR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Along the stretch of railway where the incident occurred, beachgoers have to cross the track \u2014 which is flanked by dense shrubbery \u2014 to get to the shore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Police have urged anyone who witnessed the incident and has not yet spoken to police to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many road level crossings along the heritage railway line do not have boom gates, while some are also without flashing lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The incident happened at about 3:20pm.(ABC News: Caroline Horn)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n In June last year, the Cockle Train was involved in a crash with a truck along the line at Middleton that left several passengers with minor injuries<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n