Gavin Thomas

Said the following about Blaine Calderwood:

“I received this report from Blaine's Team Leader

I have attached a report from Blaine Calderwood regarding the potential suicide, we had at Blackpool on the morning of Saturday 7th May.

You will see from Blaine's report he was with the man for around a hour some of this time with the police.

While this was happening, the rest of the staff had to re-marshal the early units using the station end of the siding only. As the unit now stuck on the bridge we previously planned to place on a early departure.

We also had 2 fitters near by to ensure Blaine was safe.

At the time the police where telling us no trains would be able to come in or out of Blackpool until this man was safely off the bridge.

The police where expecting this to last a few hours. Luckily at 0300 the man came down and we got permission to carry on.

Blaine noticed a man in Hi Vis on a bridge whilst carrying out his duties.

He radioed it in and approached the man who looked distressed.

He turned off his engines and turned down his radio after reporting to his Team Leader asking for the Police.

He stayed talking to the distressed man until the Police took over where he moved back to his unit as the man was getting agitated due to the number of people.

Once the man came down shortly after Blaine handed him some tissues from the train.

He then completed his duties.

Blaine did not have to do what he did, he had no training in this situation.“