The near-miss was captured by the train’s onboard camera, which showed the 2:50 service was pulling into Gawler train station on Monday afternoon when a young child wandered onto the tracks. 

The train driver, who had already begun slowing down, managed to bring the train to a stop, averting potential tragedy.

“Just had a small toddler walk straight out in front of the train,” the driver said over his radio.

The toddler, all alone, darted back to safety, and it was another 15 seconds until an adult appeared.

“I had my heart in my mouth,” Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said. 

“I’ve got young children myself, and seeing that just terrified me.”

According to official statistics, there have been nearly 70 near-miss incidents involving trains in South Australia this year alone.