Melanie Foster

Said the following about John Wards and Simon Cheesman:

“Nomination

I would like to nominate John Ward, Shift Station Manager and Simon Cheeseman, Customer Service Assistant, at Victoria Station for saving the life of a customer at the station.

What happened that day/Leadership decisions

That day in December, Simon was first on the scene when a 76 year old man had collapsed and stopped breathing on the main concourse of the station. He radioed for assistance to John. John asked the control point to put out a call for any BTP officers on the station and an ambulance was called. When John arrived on the scene, Simon had the defibrillator out which he used correctly to shock the patient 3 times, successfully starting his heart again. John gave mouth to mouth while an off duty nurse gave chest compressions. On arrival of the Paramedics further shocks were given and the man was stabilised before being taken to St Thomas’ Hospital.

To compound the situation, relatives travelling with the casualty were also extremely distressed. Simon arranged for screens to be put up for privacy and he, John and BTP staff comforted relatives once the man had been stabilised. They also arranged free storage of their belongings.

John said: “Simon and I kept cool heads and dealt with the incident as quickly as we could to save Peter’s life.”

Above and beyond

Henry Bates, Station Manager said: “I am extremely proud of John and Simon for their quick thinking and fast actions, it’s brave to take action, particularly when having to use a defibrillator or give mouth to mouth resuscitation, and for me this goes way above the remit of customer service.”

Praise from the wider community

A sister of the customer sent a letter of thanks to our RMD, John Halsall and our CEO, Mark Carne. She said: “Thanks to the quick and exemplary assistance from you and your station staff, British Transport Police and paramedics, Peter’s death was averted. Thank you so much for saving my brother’s life. You’re kind, dedicated people and we shall always be grateful to you all.”

Steve Webster, Sergeant for BTP said: “I have no doubt that the swift intervention and assessment made by Simon and John, added to the early delivery of CPR and defibrillation has saved the casualties life. A great demonstration of partnership working.”“

Melanie Foster

Said the following about John Wards and Simon Cheesman:

“I would like to nominate John Ward, Shift Station Manager and Simon Cheeseman, Customer Service Assistant, at Victoria Station for saving the life of a customer at the station.

What happened that day/Leadership decisions

That day in December, Simon was first on the scene when a 76 year old man had collapsed and stopped breathing on the main concourse of the station. He radioed for assistance to John. John asked the control point to put out a call for any BTP officers on the station and an ambulance was called. When John arrived on the scene, Simon had the defibrillator out which he used correctly to shock the patient 3 times, successfully starting his heart again. John gave mouth to mouth while an off duty nurse gave chest compressions. On arrival of the Paramedics further shocks were given and the man was stabilised before being taken to St Thomas’ Hospital.

To compound the situation, relatives travelling with the casualty were also extremely distressed. Simon arranged for screens to be put up for privacy and he, John and BTP staff comforted relatives once the man had been stabilised. They also arranged free storage of their belongings.

John said: “Simon and I kept cool heads and dealt with the incident as quickly as we could to save Peter’s life.”

Above and beyond

Henry Bates, Station Manager said: “I am extremely proud of John and Simon for their quick thinking and fast actions, it’s brave to take action, particularly when having to use a defibrillator or give mouth to mouth resuscitation, and for me this goes way above the remit of customer service.”

Praise from the wider community

A sister of the customer sent a letter of thanks to our RMD, John Halsall and our CEO, Mark Carne. She said: “Thanks to the quick and exemplary assistance from you and your station staff, British Transport Police and paramedics, Peter’s death was averted. Thank you so much for saving my brother’s life. You’re kind, dedicated people and we shall always be grateful to you all.”

Steve Webster, Sergeant for BTP said: “I have no doubt that the swift intervention and assessment made by Simon and John, added to the early delivery of CPR and defibrillation has saved the casualties life. A great demonstration of partnership working.”“