Congratulations to all our winners!

Train Driver of the Year

Name: Mark Thorn
Company: Southern
Location: Victoria

Reason: “Always friendly, very professional goes above and beyond care of duty. During the morning of the 10th July 2009, he rescued a suicidal woman from the track at Gatwick, she was sitting in the four foot of the down Brighton fast line, with 1st and 2nd degree burns to her feet, and abrasions to her legs, he and the Gatwick station manager stopped an oncoming service using emergency stop hand signals, and he used the short circuit bar to break the current, speaking to her all the time to keep her calm, he was then able to remove her from the track, he and the Gatwick station manager then helped her on to his train where he applied first aid to her burns and even gave her his fleece to keep warm, then removed the short circuit bar confirmed with signaller line was clear and services were able to run again with not much delay, after the police and ambulance services arrived he then continued to finish his duty”.

Judges comments:

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Date of event: 10/7/09

Train Crew of the Year

Name: Sharon Jones, On Board Manager, Preston, Robert Morris, Train Manager, Preston, Paul Gunning, Senior Traincrew Shift Superviser
Company: Virgin Trains
Location: Preston

Reason: “I would like to nominate three people for an award, Paul Gunning (Resources), Rob Morris, Train Manager, Preston and Sharon Jones On Board Manager, Preston. A Train Manager at Preston failed to turn up for duty, Paul Gunning in Resources tried all day to contact the Train Manager but to no avail. Paul was getting worried as the day went on and phoned Rob Morris to see if he could call on him. Rob Morris went to the flat and found the Train Manager on the floor. He rang the emergency services and got him to hospital. The Train Manager had two fractures and a blood clot on the brain. Only for the quick thinking of Paul and Rob the story could have been a lot worse. The Train Manager has now been operated on and is slowly improving thanks to these two guys. Sharon was in contact with Rob all over the weekend, though she wasn't on call she supported Rob throughout this ordeal by being there when he needed her. She met with Rob on Monday morning and "debriefed" him and she has showed nothing but compassion throughout this incident”.

Judges comments: .

Date of event: 09/7/09

Station Staff of the Year

Name: Catherine Jones
Company: Arriva Trains Wales
Location: Bridgend

Reason: "1- Cath has been with the company for nearly a year. In that time she has experienced a number of difficult experiences with the travelling public. Her dedication and professionalism are a credit to her especially as she is new to the railway environment. Always looking ahead/Level headed and an excellent team player are some of the many reasons why I am nominating Cath 2- 29/11/08 On an event day during the November internationals (Wales v Australia) a gent collapsed on the platform banging his head causing bleeding. Cath called emergency services from 1845. The ambulance finally arrived 3hrs later. Cath stayed calm and comforted the gentleman by talking to him and assuring him help was on the way 05/12/09@1609 1L40 arrived at Bridgend with a female who had collapsed in the vestibule area. A doctor was onboard and Cath arranged for Paramedics to attend. She also cordoned off the area using the gateline staff, then she removed 2 posters to cover the vestibule doors and give some dignity to the female passenger being treated for a heart attack. Cath kept all controls up to date then after the Ambulance had departed she calmly and professionally cleared the backlog of disrupted trains 01/04/09 @ 1700hrs Female attempted suicide in front of 1B46. All services on stop and BTP contacted. Cath tried to coax the girl from the track by firstly talking to her explaining more to life etc and that people would be concerned for her health, then Cath tried the more direct approach of a hot chocolate and a mars bar!!. Police turned up and removed the lady from the station and sectioned her. This lady returned on the 4th April after escaping from Whitchurch hospital, Cath recognised her and coaxed her into the chargemans office. Whilst there, Cath rang police then made the female a coffee and consoled her until the police arrived. 01/05/09 @2145 Cath was dispatching from platform 1A when she noticed a drunken female fall backwards onto the main line. The barrow lights were out and a train was imminent. The panel was engaged so Cath positioned herself on platform 1 to be able to carry out an emergency stop if needed. Two males then also jumped down onto the track to throw the woman back onto the platform. Cath kept her cool throughout and managed to contact Network Rail control. 05/07/09 @2100hrs An elderly woman came to travel to Rhoose at 2100hrs Cath advised her she couldn’t return back as the last train went out at 2142hrs. The elderly lady appeared a little confused, she said she was visiting her daughter but had no details etc. Cath went outside and phoned the police as she was worried about her travelling so late by herself as the lady also started talking about the war. Police said they would visit the station anyway, the train came and no police called. Cath had no choice than to put her on the Vale train to Rhoose, she told the guard if no one is waiting at Rhoose for her to then take her to Cardiff and notify the police etc, don’t leave her alone. At 2230hrs last night Cath got a call on her mobile at home from BTP advising that they had made enquires and she had wandered. On the Monday afternoon BTP informed her that they had found the elderly lady and informed her family returning her back home, where she will now get the help she needs. Cath was glad as she was worried all night for her, but she could only hold her until train came, and insisted guard on the Vale didn’t leave her at anytime alone. 29/05/09 @1610 Whilst disembarking HST service at Bridgend a gentleman fell onto the platform causing serious facial injury. Cath assisted with basic First Aid along with a Doctor until Paramedics arrived. At all times Cath was courteous/caring and helpful whilst staying level headed. 31/03/09 @0900 Contractors working at the rear of the station started up their compound generator, unfortunately a blind customer was passing and got covered in soot/dusty water splashes that covered the lady. Cath went to her assistance and took her to the ladies to try and clean her up a bit (and her dog!). Cath then rang her employer explaining what had happened and arranged for a taxi to take the lady home to change. Cath also rang the local hairdressers and cheekily got the lady booked in for a new hair do. I believe that during her time at Bridgend Catherine has shown that she has a full and varied selection of skills. And it makes me feel proud to nominate such a valued/helpful member of my station team”.

Judges comments: .

Date of event: 01/4/09