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-(reporter)
A young mother arrives at Ashburton Station.
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In the windy weather,
she fusses over her child
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and even pulls the pram away from the edge of the platform,
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but doesn't apply the brake.
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And, in a split second,
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her 6-month-old boy rolls off the platform and into the path of a train.
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-It's a miracle this baby wasn't killed.
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And the baby somehow managed to escape with just
a cut to the forehead, we've been told.
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So, it's an absolute miracle.
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-(reporter) The city-bound train comes to a stop 30 meters further along the tracks.
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The baby underneath,
shielded only by the pram.
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-That's played a great role in making sure this baby survived yesterday's incident.
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-(reporter)
The mother and child are taken to the hospital,
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but released soon afterwards,
shaken, but unhurt.
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Police say the mother did nothing wrong.
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Chronix workers back at the scene find the pram in pieces
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and belongings scattered as far along as the second carriage.
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Transit police say signage and supervision on railway platforms are already adequate,
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but that incidents like yesterday's are a startling
reminder of how easily tragedies can happen.
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-Parents especially know to be vigilant,
especially with toddlers.
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They tend to wonder off,
especially with multiple kids as well.
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The incident came just a day after the launch of a public awareness campaign
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warning of the dangers of prams on platforms.
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-The potential for disaster is huge,
and then the very next day this happens.
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-(reporter)
Dean Felton, Seven News.
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Captioned by SpongeSebastian