Teenage star of Saddle Club killed in Melbourne train accident

ONE of the stars of popular children's television program The Saddle Club has been accidentally killed after falling into the path of a train.

Teenage actress Jessica Jacobs tripped on the platform at Cheltenham railway station in Melbourne last Saturday and fell on to the tracks, her brother Adam Jacobs said yesterday.

The 17-year-old couldn't move from the tracks in time and was struck by a train.

Mr Jacobs, 24, paid tribute to his "hero", his "beautiful" younger sister. "If I had to describe her in one word it would be over-achiever," he said. "Everything she did was so good. She was very grounded and likeable, very mellow and did not let anything get to her head, despite the fact she had been in these shows and was recognised a bit."

Jessica was well known in the world of children's television, starring in The 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.

A service for Jessica will be held today at the Holy Trinity Church in the Melbourne bayside suburb of St Kilda, followed by a wake at Dixon Manor, where she wanted to hold her 18th birthday party.

More than 400 people are expected to attend. A police escort will accompany a horse-drawn carriage carrying the coffin.

Jessica had been acting since she was nine years old, but was taking a break to focus on Year 12 at Sandringham Secondary College.

She planned to go to the Victorian College of the Arts next year to study bass guitar and was in a couple of bands. Those bands will play at her wake.

Recently, Jessica had been working at a local bakery where, Mr Jacobs said, she spent more time talking to friends about "cute boys" than working.

He said his "amazing" sister was very popular.

"Everybody loved her," he said. "I know it's a cliche, but it's really true. She was an inspiration for so many people, always there for everybody."

Jessica also had two younger brothers, Seth, 14, and Charlie, 2.

A report on her death will be prepared by the Coroner.