Iluska Sandor

Said the following about John Butler:

“John Butler, Driver has been driving and with ScotRail for 38 years. An observing, caring & empathetic member of staff. Mid-afternoon, and driving into the station, John saw a bit of a movement on the track. The track is on a bend, and that's when he saw a girl in the cess. John slowed the train right down. He saw her slip, on the mud & weeds, but thankfully not onto the track. He stopped the train and asked her, "what's happening; you need get back onto the platform. You can't be here". The girl was crying, as she continued to walk on. John asked the girl if she wanted any help, to which the response was, no. She continued to walk on, and he crawled the train behind her. John, prior to reaching the station, stopped the train, left the cab and got down on to the track, to be with her. She was very, very upset saying her mum no longer loved her and that all the family had fallen out with her. She was berating herself. John was engaging with her, calming her down, letting her talk while he listened. He offered a cigarette, which she accepted. John caught up with James Black, Ticket Examiner (TE). Together, they managed to coax her onto the train. The TE had cleared the immediate carriage, and showed the girl to a seat. John made operational calls and the TE updated passengers. The train drew into the station. John gently helped & aided the girl onto the platform, took her to the shelter and remained with her, around 5-10 minutes, until 2 policewomen arrived, and successfully took her away from the station. John remembers the girl was broken-hearted, and he could never have left her at the station, until he was sure that she had safely left with the BTP. John remembers being applauded by the passengers, when he returned to the train. The TE stated, " he (john) was very, very good. Hero of the day!"“