Hamilton officer used tourniquet to save girl hit by train
Eight-year-old survives thanks to quick action, but loses leg after falling on railway tracks while playing near Gage Park
THE FIRST THING Const. Bill Kapitanchuk saw was a man holding his young daughter near the train tracks.
The Hamilton police officer was just a few kilometres away when the call came over the radio about 6 p.m. Thursday for an injured child, struck by a train, near Gage Park.
He was the first on scene and his quick actions, along with the help of other first responders who arrived minutes later, saved the eight-yearold girl’s life.
When Kapitanchuk ran over he immediately saw the girl had a seriously injured right leg.
It had been run over when the girl fell on the train tracks just minutes before.
His training “kicked in,” and he quickly reached for his tourniquet, he said, recalling the traumatic event.
The police tourniquet is made of Velcro, with a key that turns to tighten the belt and cut off blood flow. Without it, the girl may have bled to death.
The tourniquet is a tool all officers carry, but is rarely used. In his seven years as a police officer, this is the first time he’s used it, Kapitanchuk said.
The girl was “very brave and strong,” he said. She was asking if she was going to be OK, and she was asking for her mom, who soon ran to her side. The girl was also worried about her friends who had been playing with her near the tracks.
It’s not clear what the girl was doing when she fell into the path of the train.
“I constantly talked to the young girl and reassured her she’s going to be OK,” he said.
Kapitanchuk also gave clear instructions for where other first responders could find them, on the stretch of railway with fences on either side between Cumberland and Maplewood avenues.
Const. Danielle Kwok, paramedics and firefighters arrived minutes later and made their way into the scene.
They worked together, with a firefighter holding her hands and Kwok helping EMS by holding her leg.
“It’s extremely emotional. We all have kids . ... It breaks your heart to see any little kid hurt,” Kwok said.
The girl was rushed to McMaster Children’s Hospital. Her leg was amputated, but her life was saved.
The exact details of what happened remain under investigation.
What is known is that the girl was among four children playing in the area of the tracks that run through the residential neighbourhood.
There are single-family homes on one side and an apartment on the other, with many families in the area.
Trains travelling on the CP Rail line must slow down, as in all residential areas. It’s unclear if this train came to a complete stop and then started again, or was simply slow-moving.
Police believe the girl may have been climbing on the train before she fell, but it’s not clear.
The incident is being investigated by east end Criminal Investigation Branch detectives.
CP Rail police will also do its own investigation.
A spokesperson for CP said the rail company is “working closely” with Hamilton police.
“Our thoughts are with this young girl, her family and friends at this difficult time,” said Andy Cummings.
“These types of incidents are important reminders of the hazards associated with trespassing on railway property, and further highlight the need to cross rail tracks at approved crossings and to exercise caution and obey signals and signage at all times,” he said.
Kapitanchuk said he feels good knowing the girl will be OK — that helps the officers “move on.”
It also “shows the importance of why you should stay away from rail tracks,” he said.