Iluska Sandor

Said the following about Stuart McColm:

“Stuart McColm is a truly caring, empathetic and soulful driver with ScotRail, and has been working with the company for 29 years and driving trains for 27 years. Leaving the station and heading out, he saw a young girl, a teenager, walking on the line. He blasted the horn; stopped the train, and contacted the Signaller for a blockage on the line. Opening the window, he asked the girl, "what are you doing?” to which she responded, "just waiting". He put on his vest and climbed down onto the track. The girl was crying. He asked her name, but to no avail. Stuart said, "What could be that bad, that you are walking around the railways; it's very dangerous". Scott Murray, Ticket Examiner (TE) came up to the driver's cab to determine the delay, and views Stuart calmly speaking with the girl. The TE returns and informs passengers of an incident. Stuart offers the girl water and states its cold, and it would be warmer up in the cab/ train. The girl agrees and comes on board. It's not too long before the girl opens up, revealing her problems. Stuart learned her name & found out she was only 13 years old. They were chit-chatting and he assured her that he himself wouldn't get into trouble for her holding up the train - she was then worrying about him. Stuart then changed ends and drove the train back to Irvine Station, upon which time 2 BTP officers were awaiting their arrival. Scott Murray stated, "I can't praise Stuart highly enough, as he went down out of the cab to speak with the girl; many others may not have done that".“