Andrew Dickinson

Said the following about Tom Bull:

“Tom was travelling home one night after work and spotted a person in the station car park who seemed out of place. To put this into context, the station had limited facilities and limited number of services calling. There was nothing immediately obvious from the girl involved that anything was wrong but through Tom's instinct he could tell that there was something not right and there wasn't another train. It only became clear after approaching this lady that not all was well and his help might be more than first anticipated. Below is a personal account from Tom as to what happened and what he did. As you can see he went above and beyond to help the lady and reduce the impact to herself, her family and the railway by preventing something more serious. He wasn't at work and did not need to stop in such circumstances but this is just typical of Tom that he thinks of the customer and always for the welfare of his colleagues and those that he meets. When you read the account below it is difficult not to be touched that someone in our industry has stopped and been so warming as to take an interest in the problems of others and get involved personally in family life to give assurance and safety to a vulnerable person and their family who must clearly have been distressed.

"I alighted from the train. The platform shelter wasn’t well lit, and as I walked by I noticed someone there clapping their hands. I waved to the guard, who had noticed the person too, who made no move to get on the train. The train left, and when I got to my car a short distance away I looked back and saw that a girl was climbing onto the roof of the shelter. I went to ask her what was going on and if she needed any help. The girl appeared confused, although very polite, and explained where she was going. After pointing out that a train had just gone, she became distressed and was pacing up and down the platform in an agitated way. I then called Sandra Cook in Control to appraise her of the situation, and Sandy suggested stopping a train additionally at the tunnel to collect the vulnerable person. After leaving Sandy to arrange that, I spoke further with the girl, who explained that she was actually trying to get to a hospital to visit her friend who had been stabbed the previous evening. When asked, she said that she hadn’t been drinking, but she appeared to be under the influence of something or other as she was very confused and posed a danger to herself in that environment. I suggested that it would be difficult for her to get to the hospital as she was not familiar with the ‘buses in the area. She had no ‘phone, so I lent her mine, and she called her mum in an attempt to stay somewhere in the area overnight. Her mum wanted to speak with me, and advised that the girl was a heroin addict and that I should advise police so that she can be sectioned.

I called Sandy and advised her of this, and Sandy arranged a BTP response team. I left the girl in the care of the guard. Her mother was concerned and contacted me later on wanting to know what had happened to her daughter, and I supplied her with BTP number. Her mum subsequently spoke to the officers and they kindly arranged ongoing medical treatment (aside from investigating her possession of a knife etc.). She has texted me:

“Thank you sooooo much Tom. I'm waiting for the doctor to call me. You did the right thing. She should not be in society. She's very ill. No one will help me and now see what has happened. She could have died if you hadn't helped 😮”

Which has brought home the importance of helping out whenever possible. The girl did not mean to cause us any trouble, but she had unwittingly become vulnerable. I hope that she can overcome her troubles and move on."“