Denise Dobbyn and Carmel Iseppi, aged 73 and 71, died last Wednesday when their car was crushed by an express train travelling at 80km/h at Surrey Hills station.

The two women were neighbours at an independent living village in Camberwell.

A witness said a red light ahead had caused traffic to slow when the Union Road crossing’s warning signals sounded and the boom gates fell, leaving the car trapped on the tracks.

The women were unable to back out and tried to drive forward to safety, but instead moved into the path of the train.

Photo: Eddie Jim.