Paul Shallow

Said the following about Martin Rollinson:

“On 02/05/2015 @ approximately 19.00hrs Martin was a lone worker at Roby ticket office when a young male around 18yrs purchased a local ticket. Martin noticed the male looked agitated and upset, when trying to engage in conversation the customer wouldn't reply and made his way on to the platform.

In monitoring the CCTV he could see the customer was very close to the platform, so he went over to the same platform and whilst keeping his distance again tried to engage in conversation.

After 15 minutes of continually talking without reply the male said no-one ever listened to him and he was going to kill himself. At this point Martin kept calm and continually reassured him and managed to cajole him away from the platform edge as an express train passed through the station.

Having gained the customers trust and offering to charge his mobile phone for him, Martin took him back to his office. Once the customers phone was charged enough to receive calls it kept ringing, it was the males brother but he wouldn't answer it.

Martin stayed patient and kept asking if he could contact anyone for him, he also offered to call the Samaritans, this was declined, however after a period of time he agreed for Martin to phone the Transport Police as long as he could listen to the conversation.

After a short period the police arrived along with the customers brother.

Martin's patience and calming influence helped defuse what potentially could have had fatal consequences and also says a lot about him as an individual and his caring nature on a daily basis.“