Mark Ball

Said the following about Michael Mitchell:

“I'm the head of revenue protection for Southeastern and one of my revenue protection inspectors reacted in an amazingly heroic way. He has received a silver award from our company and also went on to with the gold category award for his actions. He has just been awarded the Chief Constable Commendation by the BTP.

Michael Mitchell disarmed the knifeman and wrestled him to the ground as a crowd of people looked on in horror during the evening rush hour on June 20 last year.

The 40-year-old rail worker from Downham, south east London, had been checking tickets at a barrier in the main station when a woman ran in screaming, saying there was a man outside threatening to stab another woman.

Mr Mitchell quickly ran outside and shouted at the thug several times to drop the knife, but when the man refused, he ran towards him and pulled him to the ground. He then held the man down until police arrived to arrest him.

Last night Mr Mitchell, who works for Southeastern, was hailed a "hero" by police officers and commended for his bravery at an awards ceremony held by the British Transport Police (BTP).

Chief Constable Paul Crowther, OBE said: “Michael showed incredible bravely. I’ve no doubt that his actions prevented serious injury to the lady and other members of the public. Michael went far beyond what anyone would have expected of him. I am delighted to take this opportunity to personally thank him for this act of pure selfless courage.”

David Statham, managing director of Southeastern, said: "Michael acted selflessly for the safety of others around him and I am very pleased he has been commended by the Chief Constable for his heroic actions."

In Michaels own words describing the dramatic moment he disarmed the knifeman, he said: "I must have shouted at him three or four times but he was out of it, muttering under his breath and with glazed eyes.

"I knew I had to act before he seriously hurt someone. I ran at him, managed to overpower him and bring him to the ground. I restrained him and got the knife off him, until BTP officers arrived.”

He continued: “I couldn’t ignore what was happening. I couldn’t live with myself if he’d stabbed someone in the street and I hadn’t tried to prevent it.

"When I saw there were young children in the area, I knew I had to disarm him. My own safety never even came into my mind – all the rules just went out the window. I did what I thought was right.”

Michaels selfless actions in my opinion make him the perfect nominee for this award.“