A young Melbourne actress has been killed by a train on her way to buy her brother a birthday present.
Seventeen-year-old Jessica Jacobs tripped and fell on railway lines at Cheltenham railway station on Saturday, May 10, and was struck by a train, family friend Jeff Joseph said on Thursday.
She was heading to buy her brother Adam a birthday present, he said.
Jessica, known as Jesse to her friends, was well known in the world of children's television, starring in Saddle Club, Worst Best Friends, Fergus McPhail and Holly's Heroes.
She also appeared in live productions, including the Sound of Music with Bert Newton and Lisa McCune.
Mr Joseph said Jesse, a student at Sandringham Secondary College, was a tenacious, popular and bright girl.
Her funeral will be held on Friday at the Holy Trinity Church in St Kilda.
The death comes after another person involved in the Saddle Club series, Canadian rock musician Carl Dixon, was critically injured in a car accident.
Dixon was recording an album for the series, in which his daughter Lauren is also a star.
Jessica also featured on that album.
Dixon suffered broken bones, head and facial injuries in a head-on smash at Ballan, west of Melbourne, on April 16.
He remains in hospital, but has posted a letter to fans on his website, saying while his extensive injuries are a challenge, he is upbeat about the situation.
