The RailStaff Awards 2024

Nominations for Samaritans Lifesaver Award

Andrew Jackson

Said the following about David Plank:

“Dave attended Syon Lane following a report of a male on the tracks. On arrival there he found a male lying in the 4ft area of the track with his arms outstretched and making contact with the live electrical conductor rail. Dave acted very quickly to ensure the safety of the male, and made an emergency call to the Electrical Control Room operator requesting an immediate discharge of electrical current. He then accessed the track to speak to the male, who was clearly a potential danger to himself or anyone dealing with him, engaged him in conversation and calmed him down. Through speaking to him and keeping him in conversation he was able to persuade the male to move to a position of safety and whilst awaiting police attendance. Unfortunately the male then ran off from him, but Dave continued to search the area to try to find him and provide updates to police.

Dave acted quickly and safely, and intervened at risk to his own safety to assist and speak to the male, in order to prevent him from coming to any further harm after he had made a determined attempt to harm himself on the railway.“