The RailStaff Awards 2024

John Lawless

West Midlands Trains

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Nominations for Station Staff Award

Simone Carter

Said the following about John Lawless:

“On Saturday 04/05/19 John's quick thinking action saved the lives of two people at Worcester Foregate Street. John stopped the train with seconds to spare, I have viewed the CCTV and he certainly put all his skills into practise.

The CCTV gave me Goosebumps whilst viewing it. I feel John really is a hero.

This is the report submitted;

18.22 I went onto the platform to see in the 1823 to GMV, 5 passengers, 2 females and 3 male were over the yellow line and I asked them to step back, also near to them where a gentleman dancing again over the yellow line, I advised him to move behind the yellow line as the train had already entered the platform, at this point his friend who is in a drunken state gets up to dance with him but seems to lose his footing/or is intent on barging his friend and as a result barges into one of the females who gets pushed onto the track along with himself, I gave the emergency stop signal using hands and then a red light on my torch, the driver stops ½ carriage from the persons still on the track the friends of the female help her off the track as do security and then go on to help along with one of his friends and one of the females friends. Welfare check on driver first then Signaller and control informed when possible as well as BTP. Passenger pushed onto track, very badly shaken but no injuries visible. No visible injuries from the drunk male.“

Mark Baddeley

Said the following about John Lawless:

“I have nominated John as he shows great generosity when we (GWR) arrive at Worcester Foregate Street to undertake revenue protection blocks. John is incredibly helpful making announcements for us to ensure all passengers stay safe while moving around the station.

I have seen John on many occasions interacting with passengers and his enthusiastic personality really makes passengers time on the station better.“