The RailStaff Awards 2024

Stewart Boyd

Merseyrail Electrics

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Nominations for Samaritans Lifesaver Award

Mike McHugh

Said the following about Stewart Boyd:

“I received a call from Stewart to advise that he had been made aware (by train crew) that there was a female on the platform ramp and she looked in distress, he made his way down and was met by what turned out to be a highly distressed and upset female. Stewart remained calm and talked her from a place of danger to a place of safety, he then managed to take her upstairs to talk her through some of her issues, (at this point he contacted me and emergency services and advised me of the situation), and he then continued to support the female till assistance arrived. When I arrived the young female was seemed relaxed and okay. I did not wish to upset her or the situation so after an initial greeting I stood back and left Stewart to continue with his support. This included a call to the Samaritan Help Line, once she had calmed down Stewart helped her through it. After she left, I spoke with Stewart and asked if he was okay, he was fine, I told him he had done a fantastic job and really made a difference to the girl. She returned to the station a few days later to thank Stewart for his help and to let him know she was now chasing a job and had an interview in the near future.

For my part I have nominated Stewart in the past for reward and recognition, but felt this time he deserved something more. I nominated him via the loop, Merseyrail Achievement Awards, a member of staff who gone the extra mile, not once—but regularly and puts into practice Merseyrail’s values.“

Lee Phillips

Said the following about Stewart Boyd:

“In July 2018 at the station, on Merseyrail, Stewart was alerted to an issue on his station through his vigilance and keen observations. 2 trains on both platforms had been static for a short while, some minutes..... Sensing something wrong he went to the platforms to investigate. He was informed by a Train Guard that somebody looked distressed on the other side of the bridge. He ran over the bridge to find a young woman highly distressed sat under the bridge crying and more than visibly upset.

Stewart used his experience and Samaritans training to establish the girls name and try to see what the problem was. After a few minutes he persuaded her to try to move to a safer place away the platforms.

Stewart listened intently whilst informing the on call Manager that he was dealing with an incident. On hearing the story unravelling he also decided that a call should be made to the Samaritans.

Stew offered the lady some juice and some biscuits to ease her and calm her down; she had clearly said before that she wanted to harm herself. They both sat in the railway station booking hall in a place of safety and relative calmness.

Stew contacted the Samaritans using the 116123 number and spoke to the operator himself first to introduce the lady and what she has been experiencing.

He sat with her throughout her 25 minute conversation to make sure she was ok and not in further distress.

The on call Manager turned up briefly to see if all was well.

After nearly an hour the lady seemed a lot more assured and slightly happier in herself as she thanked Stew for his help and assistance with a smile and a big hug and left to get back home. Stewart had made sure that her details were left with the Samaritans and told her to call by if she wanted a chat or to ring the Samaritans helpline number at any time.“