A 22-year-old man was fatally stabbed at Mernda train station in Melbourne’s northeast on Friday evening after intervening in an attempted robbery of a 14-year-old schoolboy, police say.
Heroic Intervention Turns Tragic
Police say four teenagers approached the schoolboy at the train station around 6 p.m. in an attempt to rob him. Several bystanders, including the 22-year-old victim, intervened to help the boy.
Acting Inspector Nigel L’Estrange of the homicide squad said the victim walked the 14-year-old away from the initial confrontation, outside the train station, before being ambushed by the group. The attackers allegedly used fists, kicked the victim, and wielded weapons, including a machete recovered at the scene.
Paramedics arrived to find the man unconscious and despite efforts to revive him, he died at the scene. The victim was a local man and worked as a security guard, but was off-duty at the time of the incident.
L’Estrange described the incident as tragic, emphasizing the victim’s selfless act. “He intervened, tried to protect this 14-year-old school boy, hasn’t been aggressive, and as a result of his interaction, he’s now lost his life.”
The four male teenagers, aged 16, 17, 17, and 18, are in police custody but have not yet been charged. One of the alleged offenders was taken to hospital with injuries sustained during the attack.
Whittlesea Local Area Commander Inspector Kate O’Neill said the incident was heartbreaking. “It’s really concerning, and my thoughts are with the family of the man who’s lost his life in this terrible, horrific way.”
Police are urging anyone who witnessed the attack to come forward. The incident occurred approximately 10 minutes before scheduled protective service officer patrols of the station.
Train services were disrupted on Friday night and into Saturday morning, with buses replacing trains. Services resumed before 10 a.m. Saturday.
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