The RailStaff Awards 2024

Harry Payne

Great Western Railway

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Nominations for Samaritans Lifesaver Award

Tamar Stevens

Said the following about Harry Payne:

“Great Western Railway (GWR) is one of the biggest rail franchises in the UK, part of the First Group of companies, operating the Western network since 1996, rebranding ourselves as GWR in 2015. We employ over 6000 people across our network and we carry more than one and a half million customers over two million single journeys on 10,000 services every week. People are at the heart of our business and our ethos is that we are 'greater together'.

Harry was driving in his car on his way to start work on Saturday 16th February, he observed a male attempting to climb up onto the top of the wall on the road bridge that crosses the main railway line next to the Station. His observations and quick reactions in reading the situation led him to stop his car immediately, approach the male and start to talk him down from the wall to a position of safety.

Through dialogue with the person, it became apparent to Harry that the gentleman had possible mental health issues. Harry continued to talk to him in a measured way, showing empathy towards his situation. Through this calm and friendly approach, Harry encouraged the person to move away from his unsafe situation.

Harry was thanked not only by his railway colleagues but also the two Police officers in attendance. If it were not for Harry’s intervention, the situation potentially could have seen life threatening consequences for the vulnerable male involved. It could have also created far reaching major disruption to the running of mainline railway services.

Without the necessary training, Harry fulfilled all the criteria set out in the ‘Samaritans Managing Suicidal Contacts Guide’, keeping the person talking to control the situation, moving them away from the danger then seeking assistance from the trained professionals that can further aid the gentleman in his distressed state.“