A seventh-grade student in Australia is recovering in the hospital after a terrifying accident at a train station left him trapped underneath a passenger train.
The frightening incident happened Monday afternoon at North Melbourne railway station in Melbourne.
According to reports, the boy — a student at St Aloysius College — was standing near the edge of the platform as a train pulled into the station when his school bag suddenly became caught on the moving train.
School principal Mary Farah said the trapped backpack caused the student to fall onto the tracks.
What happened next horrified witnesses.
Authorities say the boy was dragged several yards before becoming trapped underneath the train car for nearly an hour.
The child reportedly suffered serious leg injuries in the accident.
Several classmates witnessed the terrifying ordeal unfold in real time.
According to the school, one student immediately pressed the emergency button and called Australia’s emergency number, while other students alerted train staff and authorities.
Members of the school’s leadership team reportedly rushed to the station to support the traumatized students after hearing about the accident.
Emergency crews worked frantically to rescue the trapped boy.
Firefighters eventually used a hydraulic jack to lift part of the train high enough for rescuers to reach him underneath the passenger car.
After finally being freed, the student was rushed to the Royal Children’s Hospital in critical condition.
By the following morning, hospital officials said the boy was in serious but stable condition.
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“As of this morning, the student remains under medical care,” principal Mary Farah said in a statement.
“The college’s thoughts, prayers and support are with the student and their family.”
The school also confirmed counseling and emotional support services were being offered to students and staff affected by the traumatic incident.
Meanwhile, Metro Trains said an investigation is now underway into exactly how the frightening accident happened.
The company also thanked emergency responders for their quick actions during the rescue operation.
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