Commuters experienced severe delays on Tuesday night after a person took their own life at a Sydney train station.
From about 6pm onwards it was packed, late trains for anyone travelling between Hurstville and Sutherland. But grumpy passengers suddenly had their inconvenience put into perspective when a guard took over an intercom and reminded them who was truly affected by this tragedy.
According to News.com.au reporter Natalie Wolfe, the woman’s voice could be heard by passengers as a train arrived at Como Station.
“I’d just like to say our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the person who took their own life tonight,” she said.
“But we’re also thinking of the driver.
“Nobody goes to work to kill anybody, that’s for sure, and our drivers deal with that more than we even know.”
Her words were poignant and true. Statistics from around Australia show that train deaths are an all too common occurrence. In 2014, when 2800 Australians took their own lives, trains were involved in about one of every 18 suicides.
If you think you may be experiencing depression or another mental health problem, please contact your general practitioner or in Australia, contact Lifeline 13 11 14 for support or beyondblue 1300 22 4636.
Top Comments
It's like an atomic bomb explosion in that the fall out effects more than just the person who suicides. That poor driver would be feeling pretty shitty we have no idea how this may effect him and those close to him
Well said! I am friends with a train driver and he said they told in their training (or i would hope, counselled) to deal with 'the pink dust' which is the impact of a person on a train.(like a bomb which you so succinctly put). So sad they need to be trained for this. So sad the person sees no other way to alleviate their pain. So sad for all involved, directly or indirectly x