Sue Howarth - **HAS LEFT**

Said the following about Suzanne Wardle - **HAS LEFT**:

“This is two people Suzanne Wardle and Rhona Kanaan whose joint actions saved the life of a man who was at Penrith station intent on walking in front of a train.

Suzanne is probably the one that deserves the lifesaver award, but it was their joint actions that enabled Suzanne to do what she did.

It was in March 2014, whilst despatching a train Suzanne noticed a distressed looking man walk onto the platform. The train was leaving and she was watching for signs of him trying to run for the train.

As the train departed she kept an eye on him and just thought something wasnt right. She called for Rhona on the radio and both watched the man.

Suzanne decided she was going to speak to him and organised with Rhona to take care of the station running whilst she did.

Suzanne approched the man who had by then walked to the end of the platform where there is easy access to the tracks because of a barrow crossing that is still use.

She talked to him and during the course of the conversation he told her his intent. She caried on talking to him for a length of time and got him to a place where he said he would come into the office with her to have a cup of tea and carry on talking. she spent further time with him and with his ok got the help of the local BTP.

i ask Suzanne what made her do what she did, she says that she, as a team leader, needed to demonstrate Vigilance and for others not to be afraid to approach people, at best they could have missed their train but its still a distressed customer that needs care.“