The RailStaff Awards 2024

Nominations for Samaritans Lifesaver Award

Sally Ralston

Said the following about Gary Briscoe:

“Gary Briscoe, Dennis Murray and Jon McCabe nomination

Gary Briscoe, Station Manager for Merseyrail was advised on Sat 29/10/16 via a call by Merseyrail Electrics Control (MEC) at 11.50 that they had reports of a distressed female at Eastham Rake station. She was on the Chester bound platform wearing her pyjamas, and the Merseyrail Control had asked Station Retailer Jon McCabe to attend and assess, along with requesting that Carlisle Facilities Services (our security contractor) and British Transport Police also attend.

Gary arrived on the Chester platform at around 12.00 and noticed 2 staff members Jon and Dennis Murray either side of the female just on the end of the platform in the direction of Hooton. Gary carefully approached the girl and started taking to her, hopefully gaining her confidence with some reassuring words and a drink down at the Booking office which she accepted. He gained her confidence, and put his arm around her as he led her down the platform and towards the booking office.

Four Merseyside Police (MerPol) officers were approaching, and worried that they may scare the girl, Gary asked them to back off a little as he didn’t want to frighten her.

Gary continued talking to the girl, building up trust with her as he walked her down the ramp and into the booking office, followed a safe distance behind by MerPol and later BTP / CFS officers.

Gary sat down with the girl who was very distressed where they discussed various issues in her life.

It was revealed that the girl, Katie, has a history of medical issues and advised Gary that she suffers from mental health issues and he believes has been sectioned at some point. She discussed how she has a love of trains and how they cannot hurt her and how she wants to end her life due to family issues/boyfriend issues and later telling Gary that she may be pregnant.

MerPol started asking Katie some questions, and requested an Ambulance and then left. BTP were then with Gary, waiting for an ambulance. Gary continued to engage in conversation with Katie, offering support and listening where she then calmed down.

An ambulance attended at approximately 14.00 and Katie was taken to hospital to hopefully get the support that she needs.

The actions of Jon and Dennis during the initial onset of the situation were excellent. They pro-actively went straight to the platform and supported Katie, whilst at the same time stood at the end of the platform in order to block off a possible route down onto the track.

When Gary arrived, he used his pro-active, supportive and caring nature in order to talk to Katie, gained her trust and eventually took her from being in a very distressed state of mind to a calmer state. It’s clear that without the actions of all 3 involved, the girl would have almost certainly taken her own life.

We have ran Samaritans training for all station staff and Managers, but no training can teach how an individual actually reacts when faced with a situation like this. It’s the way in which our staff and managers act which can be the difference between life and death for a vulnerable person.

This was certainly going above and beyond, and as I’ve said above, the actions of Jon, Dennis and in particular Gary have certainly saved Katie’s life. I’m immensely proud of all involved.“