The RailStaff Awards 2024

Nominations for Rail Team of the Year

Andrew Lowe

Said the following about Manchester Victoria:

“I would like to nominate the station team at Manchester Victoria for their bravery, courage, team work and support during the Manchester terror attack on the 22nd May.

The following members of staff, Owen Sanderson (station team leader), Barry Chaudry (Station dispatch), Stuart Craig (Station Dispatch), Matt Greenhalgh (Station Dispatch) and Luke Westall (Station Dispatch) were the FIRST responders on site.

They arrived within minutes of the devastating explosion and the horrifying situation they found themselves I cannot begin to describe, even though a second attacker could've been in the area, they gave no thought to their own safety and simply wanted to help the people caught up in the explosion.

Many of the staff have no first aid training however showed immense bravery and courage in attempting to help the injured and comfort the dying, they did this for over 30 minutes before any emergency services arrived and myself made it to site. Once the emergency services arrived they still refused to leave the area without providing help, carrying injured people away from the scene on make shift stretchers and towards the emergency teams who could not gain access to the immediate area, they continued this until the early area of the morning until all people who could be saved had made it to the hospitals of Manchester.

I am certain that the actions of the team saved lives. Everything they did on that fateful night was a long way above and beyond any situation they should find themselves in and way beyond what their job description states. The other members who weren't on site during the night of the attack deserve recognition also for the way their teamwork and positive attitudes helped support the staff above, from something so simple being at the end of the phone for talk to the extended hours of work everyone did to enable the station to reopen whilst missing 5 members of staff who are vital to the smooth running of the train plan through Manchester Victoria. Being the manager of this team and one who was on site at the time of the attack i couldn't be more proud of the team and feel they deserve the recognition for what they did on a night that saw one of the worst terror attacks on our country.“

Cheryl Thorne

Said the following about Manchester Victoria:

“I would like to nominate Manchester Victoria for Team of the Year for the courage and heroic actions on the night of the bomb attack on the Manchester Arena. They had no idea what they would be facing but raced in to help injured and dying people. Certainly the fatalities would have been much higher without the team helping and assisting the emergency services.

They went to work as normal like we all do and no one ever expected this horrific incident would take place, I cannot imagine what they went through in the days and weeks after.

I think Manchester Victoria are so worthy of this award and best of luck!!!“

Trevor Armitage

Said the following about Manchester Victoria:

“I have nominated Manchester Station for team of the year for the heroism that many of them have shown the country whilst dealing with an act of terrorism. It is safe to say everyone in the region pulled together from emergency services to all of the public during the recovery process. However, it is due to the acts of the station staff who stayed throughout the night to aid the arena customers and our industry passengers alike.

From an ex-serviceman who has seen the atrocities of war, these people pulled together and worked tirelessly and relentlessly through those critical hours.

Post event and throughout the past weeks since re-opening the station the team continue to show why they deserve accolade for the performances on the evening.

God rest those who lost their lives, but respect must be paid to those who risked their own safety staying to aid and comfort the injured on that night.“