A rising soccer star has been identified as the young private schoolboy who was dragged under a train by his backpack in Melbourne.
Lustica Football, which runs a high-performance soccer academy for children in Melbourne’s west, paid tribute to Chris, 12, telling him to ‘stay strong’.
The Year 7 student at St Aloysius College – where fees are $9,200 a year – was standing on a platform at North Melbourne Railway Station about 4pm on Monday.
His backpack became caught when he was struck by the train, dragging him several metres, before he was trapped underneath in front of a crowd of passengers.
Chris suffered horrific leg injuries in the traumatic incident, according to paramedics, with firefighters using hydraulic jacks to lift the train off the tracks to free him.
One commuter has now spoken out about concerns she raised with the school over student safety on the platform before Monday’s accident.
She said she had directly contacted the school to warn of the looming danger.
‘I travel from this station in the morning with those children and it was only a matter of time before this was going to happen,’ she wrote on social media.
Promising soccer played Chris was seriously injured in the train accident
Chris suffered horrific leg injuries in the ‘traumatic’ incident, according to paramedics, with firefighters using hydraulic jacks to lift the train off the tracks to free him
‘The students deliberately stand close to the trains pulling in or are pushing each other where other travellers have been impacted.’
The commuter claimed to have called the school just a few weeks ago to alert it about the alleged behaviour.
‘The school said they had been doing safety talks with them and would again,’ she said.
‘Metro staff are constantly calling at the students to move away from the trains coming in but are ignored. Sadly it happened (when) they had been warned about (it).’
Daily Mail is not suggesting Chris was involved in any such behaviour at the station and St Aloysius College has been contacted over the claims.
St Aloysius College principal Mary Farah told Daily Mail the school treated all concerns raised about its students seriously.
‘As a Mercy school, the values of compassion, respect and kindness underpin all expectations of student behaviour, both within the College and in the wider community,’ she said.
‘Any concern raised by members of the public regarding student safety or behaviour is taken seriously and acted upon immediately.
First responders who attended the scene were being supported by counselling services
‘This action includes meetings with students and families, reinforcement of behavioural expectations, and ongoing safety and wellbeing conversations with students regarding safe and respectful conduct in public spaces.
‘We are grateful when concerns are brought to our attention, as it allows us to work proactively to support both our students and the wider community.’
Ms Farah said there was no evidence to suggest the incident on Monday was a result of inappropriate behaviour by any students on the platform.
‘Based on information provided to the College, and supported by statements made by Metropolitan Transport Authority staff, the platform was crowded with the afternoon rush, the student was standing on the platform with his back to the tracks, and his bag became caught between carriages of a moving train, causing him to fall onto the tracks,’ she said.
‘Our focus remains firmly on supporting the student, his family, and the many young people affected by this traumatic event.’
Chris remained in a stable condition at the Royal Children’s Hospital on Wednesday morning.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with our much-loved academy player Chris and his family following the devastating accident he was involved in yesterday,’ his soccer academy posted to social media.
‘Chris is currently receiving world-class care and ongoing medical treatment, surrounded by the support of his family and loved ones.
North Melbourne Station has been experiencing more passengers due to free public transport throughout May
North Melbourne Station was the scene of a horrific accident
‘We ask our football community to keep Chris and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Stay strong Chris, we are all behind you.’
Melbourne’s rail system is currently experiencing a surge in commuters after Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan announced free public transport until the end of May.
Reports indicate Chris was waiting for a train with friends near the edge of platform six when his school bag became caught on the cab door mirror.
Witnesses claimed he was dragged for several metres before becoming trapped under the train.
The incident was witnessed by students from the boy’s school.
Fire and Rescue Victoria used hydraulic jacks to lift the train and free Chris, who was treated by eight paramedics.
He was taken to Royal Children’s Hospital in a critical condition where he received treatment for severe injuries to his lower legs.
Metro Trains is continuing to investigate the incident.
