The Samaritans Lifesaver Award, recognises workers who have used all their communication skills and training to help protect a life on the rails. Megan Moore from ScotRail took home the prize at this year’s RailStaff Awards.
Megan was awarded for her quick thinking when she spotted a worrying message on social media, from an unknown member of the public. The message was from a man who stated that he wanted to apologise to an unspecified train driver, and hoped they would recover quickly.
Megan engaged with the man via social media and asked if he wanted to talk. At this point, he specifically stated that he intended suicide.
Megan immediately applied training she had received from the Samaritans Managing Suicidal Contacts course. As well as raising the alarm to the main control centre to put a caution on the line, she also spoke directly to the staff at the station. She requested that they conduct a welfare check, and they found the man on the tracks. Thankfully, an incoming train was brought to a stop and the man was taken to a place of safety.
Her actions without doubt saved the man’s life.
“I’m really overwhelmed,” said Megan, speaking at the Awards. “They were so many people up for this award, who were all equally as deserving. I’d like to thank Nick McGuirk for nominating me, and my colleagues at the station who acted on the information I gave them.”
Samaritans is available day or night, for anyone who’s struggling to cope, and who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure. It works tirelessly to reach more people and make suicide prevention a priority.
Jason Alexandre, Network Rail Training Officer at Samaritans, and presenter of the Award, said:
“Megan absolutely stood out at these Awards. To be able to listen to someone in need over social media, coordinate people to a location, stop a train, save a life, and do it all in a calm, collected manner, demands exceptional skills. We’re so proud to sponsor this award. Thousands of people are saved on our railways each year and the individuals behind this all deserve recognition.”
Highly commended
George Mitchell and Harry Jordan, Amulet Security / Northern
Fazakerley Station Team Station Retailers, Merseyrail
