It’s a cold winter’s night at Sydney’s Luna Park, nestled in the northern shore of Sydney Harbour. It’s June 9, 1979, and swarms of people ride the roller coaster and play inside Coney Island. The Tagline for the amusement park is “just for fun” - and it’s arguably one of the biggest attractions in Sydney. 

But one of the most popular rides is The Ghost Train, which runs along 180 metres of electric track, most of it in total darkness. Dancing skeletons and dragons heads and an imitation fire make the ride spine-tingling, with a haunted voice cackling: “you’ll shiver and quake on the ghost train.”

It’s almost closing time and a 12-year-old boy named Jason Holman is with four friends, about to board The Ghost Train.  For 45 years The Ghost Train has been running, without the slightest incident. Once you’re in, it only goes for two and a half minutes, but that’s enough time to deliver a thrill. 

There’s nothing out of the ordinary. Two of his friends board the ride on one carriage, and then the next two in the following carriage. 

Jason is last. 

Just moments later, Jason’s four friends, students at Waverley College in Sydney, would be dead.

He will survive, being dubbed the luckiest boy alive.

But he doesn’t feel lucky.

42 years later, he still has questions. 

 

CREDITS

Guest: Caro Meldrum-Hanna, co-creator of Exposed: The Ghost Train Fire

Host: Jessie Stephens

Audio Producer: Ian Camilleri

Producer: Gia Moylan

 

CONTACT US

Tell us what you think of the show via email at truecrime@mamamia.com.au  

Join our closed Facebook community to discuss this episode. Just search True Crime Conversations on Facebook or follow this link https://bit.ly/tcc-group 

If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

It&rsquo;s a cold winter&rsquo;s night at Sydney&rsquo;s Luna Park, nestled in the northern shore of Sydney Harbour. It&rsquo;s June 9, 1979, and swarms of people ride the roller coaster and play inside Coney Island. The Tagline for the amusement park is &ldquo;just for fun&rdquo; - and it&rsquo;s arguably one of the biggest attractions in Sydney.&nbsp;
But one of the most popular rides is The Ghost Train, which runs along 180 metres of electric track, most of it in total darkness. Dancing skeletons and dragons heads and an imitation fire make the ride spine-tingling, with a haunted voice cackling: &ldquo;you&rsquo;ll shiver and quake on the ghost train.&rdquo;
It&rsquo;s almost closing time and a 12-year-old boy named Jason Holman is with four friends, about to board The Ghost Train.&nbsp; For 45 years The Ghost Train has been running, without the slightest incident. Once you&rsquo;re in, it only goes for two and a half minutes, but that&rsquo;s enough time to deliver a thrill.&nbsp;
There&rsquo;s nothing out of the ordinary. Two of his friends board the ride on one carriage, and then the next two in the following carriage.&nbsp;
Jason is last.&nbsp;
Just moments later, Jason&rsquo;s four friends, students at Waverley College in Sydney, would be dead.
He will survive, being dubbed the luckiest boy alive.
But he doesn&rsquo;t feel lucky.
42 years later, he still has questions.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
CREDITS
Guest: <a href="https://twitter.com/caromeldrum?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Caro Meldrum-Hanna</a>, co-creator of <a href="https://go.skimresources.com?id=53410X1291869&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fiview.abc.net.au%2Fshow%2Fexposed-the-ghost-train-fire%3Fgclid%3DCj0KCQjwmIuDBhDXARIsAFITC_4IdTaS3BfDfUcqOvWZv-XyKOPrZBeRftx0XYA8QZAAZwhqnC6CZkwaAu6aEALw_wcB%26gclsrc%3Daw.ds">Exposed: The Ghost Train Fire</a>
Host: Jessie Stephens
Audio Producer: Ian Camilleri
Producer: Gia Moylan
&nbsp;
CONTACT US
Tell us what you think of the show via email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:truecrime@mamamia.com.au">truecrime@mamamia.com.au</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
Join our closed Facebook community to discuss this episode. Just search True Crime Conversations on Facebook or follow this link<a href="https://bit.ly/tcc-group">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/tcc-group</a>&nbsp;
If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via<a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">&nbsp;Lifeline</a>&nbsp;on 13 11 14 or<a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/">&nbsp;Beyond Blue</a>&nbsp;on 1300 22 4636
See&nbsp;<a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a>&nbsp;for privacy information.
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

True Crime Conversations explores the world's most notorious crimes by speaking to the people who know the most about them.

True Crime Conversations explores the world's most notorious crimes by speaking to the people who know the most about them.

True Crime Conversations

True Crime Conversations explores the stories and the people behind some of the world’s most notorious crimes. 

True Crime Conversations explores the stories and the people behind some of the world’s most notorious crimes.

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