Garry Hiscock

Said the following about Ian Palmer:

“Hi, I would like nominate, Northern train driver Ian Palmer for the Samaritans Lifesaver award. Ian works as a train driver at Newcastle Central Station.

In March, Ian was driving his train, travelling toward Morpeth from Newcastle and stopped, in the course of his duties, at a station. He noticed a person sitting on the other platform with his legs off the platform. Ian immediately identified that something wasn't quite right and initiated a railway emergency call stopping all trains in the area.

Once Ian was satisfied that the area was safe he engaged the person, a middle aged man, in conversation in an attempt to find out what was going on. The person got up and quickly left the station.

Ian proceeded on his journey north and then his return journey from to Newcastle. On the approach to a station Ian spotted the individual he had seen earlier that morning. The person was within the railway boundary fence standing near to the railway tracks, he was about to attempt to jump in front of Ian’s train.

Ian initiated an emergency stop and made a railway emergency call. For the second time that morning all trains in the area were stopped

Shocked and shaken Ian recognised and confirmed that the individual was, indeed, the same man he had challenged earlier that morning.

Ian could see the man walking on the track, unharmed, behind his train. Once an assurance was received that the area was safe Ian decided to get off the train and approach the individual.

Ian spoke to the individual who was distressed and upset, he indicated to Ian that he wanted to kill himself. The man spoke to Ian. Ian listened and allowed the man to speak and explain how he was feeling. Ian was considerate and controlled in his approach and eventually he managed to get the suicidal man on his train. The conductor on the train, Sharon Hirst, comforted the man as Ian proceeded forward with the train into the station.

Prior to arrival into the station Ian contacted BTP and arranged for them to meet him in the station. Ian requested that the police adopt a low profile, considered approach. The police met the train and the man was taken to safety, all parties involved approached the situation in a considerate, thoughtful manner.

The following day I was contacted by BTP officer R Richardson and he informed me that once the individual involved had received the assistance needed he was very complementary toward the actions of both Ian and Sharon. The officer was also impressed and has proposed to put Ian forward for an award.

A fantastic outcome and resolution to a potentially fatal situation“