A fall on a tram cost a passenger his life. Older riders want change

When Garry Ledger fell on a tram and hit his head last August, there were initially no signs of a major injury.

The 78-year-old South Australian had just boarded the route 16 service towards the city. He was busy tapping on his myki when the tram accelerated and he fell onto his back.

Initial signs were positive when Ledger arrived at The Alfred hospital. But about three weeks later, he died from medical complications sustained during the fall.

His death has sparked renewed calls for better safety measures across Melbourne’s tram network, particularly for older passengers.

Coroner Ingrid Giles, who released her findings last month into the death , said the incident had shed light on a significant public health and safety issue.

“Older people feeling safe to use trams is critical to their ongoing social connection … In an ageing population, this issue will only become more and more pressing in future years,” Giles wrote.

Data from the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit – which was referenced in Giles’ report – shows that 129 people were hospitalised following a tram fall between 2020 and 2025. This number is specific to people who, like Ledger, fell while riding trams, rather than while boarding or disembarking.

Among these hospitalisations, 78 per cent of those injured were aged 60 or older.

Neil Rickards, 72, catches a tram along St Kilda Road about four times a week. He doesn’t own a car and relies on public transport to travel.

He agrees that falls and slips while riding pose an issue, particularly for older passengers. On one recent trip, Rickards was also focused on validating his myki when the tram suddenly began to move forward.

“I stumbled and had to grip something. I was just in an unstable position at the time when they took off,” he said

“That’s the most dangerous time … people are trying to tap on, and then [the trams] take off … and the momentum gets them.”

Safety improvements recommended in Giles’ report include the ability for passengers to touch on before boarding the tram, as well as introducing a system at tram stops that alerts drivers when a passenger needs more time to board.

Similar features are in place at newer light-rail networks interstate – including in Sydney and on the Gold Coast.