Will Munton

Said the following about Dewsbury Railway Station Team:

“The front line colleagues at Dewsbury is an outstanding example of a dedicated, knowledgeable, hard working, resilient group of rail employees who have overcome endless challenge in the past 12 months.

They have had a number of fatalities at the station, been directly involved in traumatic incidents and saved the lives of 2 member of the public in April 2015 alone.

They work closely with the Samaritans and the BTP, and not only work tirelessly as a team to keep customers informed, they have gone above and beyond to provide dignity to the deceased. This is above their call of duty, but for the sake of the customers, and to get the railway moving again, they stepped in and screened of what was a horrific site.

The team are not only work colleagues but a tight group of friends who have bonded in the face of adversity, and they truly look out for each other consistently.

A quote from The Samaritans:

"The team at Dewsbury are truly outstanding. Every member of the team is always willing to go above and beyond their duties to ensure the welfare and safeguarding of their passengers and other colleagues as best they can. I think it's a testament that in the face of what can sometimes be difficult and challenging circumstances they continue to make a difference" Lucia Capobianco, Volunteer Training Support Officer, The Samaritans.

Quotes from the British Transport Police:

"The First Transpennine rail staff at Dewsbury Station get my vote for being a really positive team going above and beyond what their primary role is.

Specifically they have done an excellent job when dealing with 3 fatal incidents at the station in the last 6 months - looking after the dignity of the deceased as well as getting the railway running as quickly as possible and supporting members of the public that were nearby.

Additionally they have intervened with 2 people who were suicidal and linked in with the appropriate services including ourselves in British Transport Police and the Samaritans. They do whatever it takes to keep people safe and this undoubtedly has resulted in lives saved." Lorna McEwan, Chief Inspector, Leeds District - Pennine, British Transport Police,

"At 19:10 hours on Tuesday 21st April, I received a call that a male was under the train at Dewsbury. Having arrived at the location at 19:30 hours, I found the deceased male who was actually on the southbound platform and had been sheeted over, I believe by station staff. As I had Officers guarding the scene, I was able to speak Station Officer Laura Dittrich who showed me the CCTV footage. This conclusively showed the deceased committing suicide by trying to jump in front of a train before being bounced down the platform.

In having sheeted over the deceased, we were immediately able to open up the northbound line. I recall the lines were closed for only 53 minutes after the FCR had been contacted, much of which was down to the prompt actions of the Station staff." Gathered by Granville Sellors, Inspector, Officer in Charge, British Transport Police, Leeds

Recently the team updated the flower pots with new flowers for spring, they held a community art event to increase wellbeing in the area, and hold regular Samaritans awareness events for the increased safety of the station.

They treat the station as their own, and need very little supervision to make great customer service happen.

The team have received praise for their customer service, and work alongside the local station adopter to drive standards higher for customers.

The team have been highly commended by the by the British Transport Police, Network Rail and the Samaritans for their outstanding contribution to customer service, specifically in terms of dealing with unfortunate events.

This team cannot be recognised enough for their commitment.“