The picture which circulated on social media over the weekend.
Camera IconThe picture which circulated on social media over the weekend. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Fremantle baby train tracks picture ‘galactically stupid’: PTA

Madeleine StephensFremantle Gazette

A PUBLIC Transport Authority spokesman has described taking a picture of a baby on train tracks as “galactically stupid”.

The comments came after The Bell Tower Times tweeted a picture of two people taking a photo of a baby on train tracks in Fremantle on Sunday.

Public Transport Authority spokesman David Hynes said the act was silly, irresponsible and against the law.

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“The main thing is you are putting lives at risk,” Mr Hynes said.

“That particular area of track at Fremantle is freight track; it’s not part of our urban system but it’s not disused.

“Freight trains go there every day and they don’t go as fast as urban trains but if a freight train hits you it will kill you just as easily as an urban train will.”

Mr Hynes said there was a certain irony to the incident, given this week is Rail Safety Week and a Transport Authority poster can be seen in the photograph.

“Yesterday was the start of a national Rail Safety Week where we join with rail operators around the country to promote safety on and around railways,” he said.

“You can see in the background of that photograph, there is a sign of a campaign we launched last year saying ‘don’t take photographs on tracks’.”

Mr Hynes said the authority were doing what they could to raise awareness of track safety but were asking for the public to do their part too.

“To exercise common sense around railways and railway tracks because in the train v pedestrian incident, the pedestrian will always lose,” he said.

This Rail Safety Week, the Public Transport Authority is promoting the dangers of trespassing on the tracks and the importance of looking before you cross the railway, especially when you are wearing headphones.

“We want to remind people about the potentially devastating consequences of being irresponsible and unsafe around the railway,” Mr Hynes said.

“Unless you are travelling through a marked pedestrian crossing, being on the tracks is trespass.

“It’s like crossing the road – you should be aware of your surroundings, follow the advice of signage and warning lights and bells and look both ways before crossing.”

Rail Safety Week is running from August 13-19.