Sally Ralston

Said the following about Ged Hollerhead:

“During April this year while working at one of our Stations, Ged noticed a young male and female enter the station arguing. The female was clearly upset and started walking down the stairs towards the platforms. The male was shouting at Ged saying that the lady was going to kill herself, by jumping in front of the train. Ged ran out of the booking office and called the young female back up the stairs. She hesitated at first but came back up towards him. The male was very agitated, angry and upset. Ged tried to speak to the female by telling her his name and asked did she want to talk. The male was shouting at her, she looked very scared, Ged told the male to leave the area and let him speak to her on his own as he wasn’t helping the situation. Ged just wanted to calm the situation down and get the female to a place of safety for everyone. Ged told her that she could stay with him and that she would be safe, but she refused and said she wanted to kill herself and walked away towards the central area.

Ged then called central station to inform the member of staff what happened and to be on the lookout, he then called BTP Suicide Prevention Hotline and gave details and descriptions. Ged then called the Merseyrail Control to caution the trains in our area, after which he called Security to ask for extra help at station. He then called the Duty Manager and informed him of the incident.

Later that evening Ged received a phone call from BTP informing him that Merseyside police had found them and both parties were taken home safe.

Previous to the incident Ged had attended a training session where he was shown the National Suicidal Prevention Steering Group Learning Tool which gave him the mind set to ensure he took the lady into a place of safety. Since the incident he has also attended the 1 day Samaritan course in which he has shared his experience to other members of staff.

Ged says; 'I am very happy with my quick actions and believe prevention is always better than cure!'

We are very proud of Ged and of the professional and calm manner in which he dealt with this situation.“