UPDATE @ 3PM | Major delays continue around Surfers Paradise and on the Gold Coast tram line, after a tram derailed in the heart of tourist strip.
The tram came off the tracks near the intersection of Staghorn Avenue and Surfers Paradise Boulevard around 9.20am on Friday and then smashed into a light pole, leaving it deeply embedded in one of the carriages.
Thankfully there were no passengers on board at the time. The driver was taken to hospital as a safety precaution.
Surfers Paradise Boulevard remains closed southbound between Ocean Avenue and Palm Avenue.
Trams travelling in both directions are suspended from Southport South to Broadbeach South with buses being arranged in their place.
It remains unclear exactly how long it will take to clear the scene.
G:Link’s operator and the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator are now investigating the incident to figure out exactly what happened and whether there has been any damage to the line.
EARLIER | There’s been commuter chaos on the Gold Coast’s Light Rail this morning after two separate incidents causing delays of up to an hour.
Trams have been suspended in both directions from Surfers Paradise North to Broadbeach South.
Emergency crews rushed to Surfers Paradise Boulevard at around 7.40am after a person on board the tram suffered a medical epsiode.
The patient was transported to the Gold Coast University Hospital in a life-threatening condition.
Meantime, a Queensland Ambulance spokesperson says a second incident unfolded at around 9.15am when a tram veered off the tracks and smashed into a power pole, also along Surfers Paradise Boulevard near Staghorn Avenue.
Paramedics are currently on scene assessing the driver for injuries.
No passengers were on board the tram at the time.
Queensland Police have issued a statement urging motorists to avoid the area or expect lengthy delays.
Surfers Paradise Boulevard is closed southbound between Ocean Avenue and Palm Avenue.
A police investigation is underway to determine how it happened.
G:Link has been contacted for a statement.
More to come.
Trams travelling in both directions are suspended from Surfers Paradise North to Broadbeach South due to a customer requiring medical assistance. Delays of up to 60 minutes. Buses have been arranged to get you moving again. https://t.co/XFEmVH6sfE #TLAlert #Glink pic.twitter.com/9WJXQZNCMp
— Translink (@Translink_QLD) September 11, 2025
