Dad’s train death

By Danielle Galvin
A PAKENHAM father of two who died after he was clipped by a train will be remembered as a brother, a mate and a companion.
Christopher James Clough, 26, died as he was jogging alongside the railway tracks in Pakenham to umpire a basketball game at the Cardinia LiFE stadium. Emergency services were called to the tracks between Cardinia Road and McGregor Road about 6.30pm on Thursday night.
Senior Constable Sonny Legaie attended the scene and said police were investigating the “unfortunate death.”
“From what we know, the man was jogging alongside the railway tracks heading towards Melbourne approximately 500 metres before the Cardinia Road Railway Station and he was struck from behind,” he said.
Pakenham police believe he was listening to his iPhone and had earphones in at the time.
He died at the scene.
“From what we could establish, there were earphones in his ears connected to an iPhone which was in his pocket,” Sen Con Legaie said.
“This gives me an opportunity to stress to members of the public that it is not advisable to jog, ride or drive with earphones in because you don’t hear anything happening around you, especially anything that’s coming behind you,” he said.
Sen Con Legaie said it was unclear why he was jogging so close to the train tracks.
“It is not a running track – there’s no footpaths there or pedestrian footpath,” he said.
“There’s no indication of why he was running there.”
On Friday, a Facebook group was set up to remember a life taken too soon.
Lisa Pace, Chris’s friend from school, set up the page. She said Chris was a beautiful soul.
“He was cheeky and everyone loved him,” she said.
“He had a real zest for life.”
Nearly 200 hundred people have joined the group with dozens of comments describing Chris as an inspiration to many, a basketball superstar and a caring and generous friend.
“A friend with a heart and mind like yours is hard to find,” one wrote.
Well-wishers and mourners were encouraged to remember their friend and remember the good times.
“Celebrate the life of a beautiful soul and let no moment be forgotten, love you Chris,” the precede read.
Another commented that the keen basketballer was an “amazing player.”
“We never knew what we would get from you each game,” she wrote.
At the site near where Chris died, a cross has been erected with the words ‘RIP’.
Two red roses adorn the cross, with flowers placed carefully below.
Chris leaves behind two young children Tarlia and Jacob.
Sen Con Legaie said the police were working with Metro staff, and had spoken to the train driver of the city-bound train. He added he believed the accident could have been avoided.
“It is very sad and especially because he is a young man and a well-known athlete,” he said.
“I reckon he is very well-known in athletic circles and it will be a blow to his friends, the Pakenham community and his family.”
Police will prepare a report for the coroner.