East Coast Station Manager commended for lifesaving rescue

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An East Coast Station Manager has been praised for his quick thinking in rescuing a woman from a high speed railway line.

Dennis Middleton, Duty Station Manager at Durham station, received the Area Commander’s Commendation from the British Transport Police.

The incident happened on 6 April this year at Durham station, when the woman jumped over glass fencing on the station platform and climbed onto the track, before standing in the path of an oncoming train.

Trains pass the station at up to 90 miles per hour.

Mr Middleton brought the woman back to the platform as staff called police to the station.

The quick-thinking Station Manager also prevented two further attempts by the woman to harm herself before the police arrived.

The woman was later sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

East Coast Head of Stations Tom Hanham said:

“Dennis’s quick actions undoubtedly saved a life and he fully deserves this commendation.

“Non-stop trains pass through Durham station at high speed and in this situation, Dennis had only a matter of seconds in which to think, then act.

“He followed well established railway safety procedures, and his exemplary actions prevented a tragic outcome.”

Dennis was presented with his commendation by British Transport Police Area Commander, Chief Superintendant Terry Nicholson.”

East Coast are sponsoring Train Driver of the Year at this year’s Railstaff Awards.

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