Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Award for man who sacrificed life for woman on track
A heroic pensioner killed trying to save a family friend after she jumped onto railway tracks has been given a posthumous bravery award.
Dr David Ashworth was hit by a 70mph train passing through Chartham station as he attempted to rescue 38-year-old Ella Akehurst, who was severely injured in the fall.
On Tuesday, his proud sons Jonathan and Michael went to London’s Haberdashers’ Hall to receive the Royal Humane Society’s In Memoriam Testimonial from Princess Alexandra.
The citation describes how Dr Ashworth was aware of the oncoming train and the danger he was putting himself in during the tragedy in June 2015.
Speaking after the presentation, Jonathan said: “We are very proud and grateful our father’s bravery has been recognised and we feel this will help give some closure to us as a family along with our father’s friends.”
A retired university academic and widower, Dr Ashworth lived in Rowan Close, Sturry, and was a close family friend of the Akehursts, who live in Chartham.
The full circumstances of his death were revealed during an inquest in January 2016.
He had taken Miss Akehurst, who was suffering with mental health problems, to the village doctor’s surgery for an appointment on the morning of the tragedy, but as they left the surgery, she ran down the road towards the station.
Fearing her intentions, Dr Ashworth followed her in his car but did not arrive in time to stop her jumping from the bridge.
The citation tells how he got down onto the tracks and positioned Miss Akehurt’s body and limbs between the rails in a bid to save her from being hit, but could not escape the fast approaching train himself.
Miss Akehurst’s brother, Luke Akehurst, said on Tuesday: “The whole family feels this is a very appropriate public recognition for David’s immense courage and the huge risk he took in trying to save my sister.
“We still feel his loss and miss him a great deal.”
The bravery of 74-year-old Dr Ashworth, who was a space scientist, has also been recognised by the Andrew Carnegie Hero Trust based in Dunfermline, which will display an entry of his heroism into their Roll of Honour.