National Rail Awards
Terror attack heroes lead the roll of honour at the ‘Railway Oscars’ - RAIL’s National Rail Awards 2017.
BRAVERY shown by British Transport Police officers and railway staff, in the aftermath of terror attacks in Manchester and London Bridge, was recognised at an emotional National Rail Awards on September 21.
Held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel and hosted by BBC News’ Huw Edwards, RAIL’s National Rail Awards handed out special accolades to the men and women who put their own lives at risk to save others.
Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling handed a special gold trophy to BTP officer Wayne Marques, who single-handedly took on three terrorists at London Bridge, suffering multiple lifethreatening injuries.
“Transport police officers and station staff went above and beyond the call of duty when handling the aftermath of the terror attacks in both Manchester and London Bridge this year,” said Grayling.
Marques was on duty at London Bridge on June 3 when he heard screams. He ran towards the commotion, and engaged three terrorists with his baton. He was stabbed and slashed several times, receiving extremely serious injuries. He carried on until he succumbed to these injuries and lost consciousness through loss of blood.
There was a standing ovation lasting several minutes when Marques made his way to the NRA stage, in front of more than 1,200 guests and industry leaders.
He had followed the team of Northern staff and BTP officers who attended the Manchester Evening News Arena blast of May 22, when 22 people (and the terrorist) were killed. They also received special awards.
One of the guests on stage, PC Phil Healy (accompanied by Explosive Detection Dog Mojo) explained to the room his role that fateful night: “It was my job… to look for secondary devices. This put me into the main blast site, in among the deceased. I knew Mojo wasn’t happy being there, but unfortunately we had a job to do.” Healy broke down on stage talking about his experiences that night.
Elsewhere, five railway staff were recognised with Life Changer awards for their role in going above the call of duty and potentially saving lives.
Greater Anglia driver Stuart Connell received an award for his role in the Hockham Road crossing accident in April 2016, when a Class 170 hit a tractor at 84mph.
Connell was driving the ‘170’. He ducked, pulled the emergency brake and warned passengers. He then kept his hand firmly down on the horn up to and including the point of impact, which resulted in him sustaining a nasty injury to his hand. The trailer separated from the tractor and struck the side of the train several times. He suffered injuries, but still walked through the train to advise the 135 passengers. GA Managing Director Jamie Burles said he was “proud” of Connell.
GB Railfreight Train Managers Steve Read and Sam Lawrence talked a suicidal individual to a position of safety, and were able to save his life.
Steve Rhymes, Head of Freight Network Management at Network Rail, said: “I’d like to offer Network Rail’s thanks to GB Railfreight Drivers Steve Read and Sam Lawrence, whose quick thinking and prompt action prevented a potential harmful situation when a member of the public entered the railway at Milton Keynes.
“The driver’s use of GSM-R to quickly bring services to a standstill and alert the signaller, as well as their sensitive treatment of the individual when he was trackside intent on causing himself harm, was a great example of the positive impact that rail staff can have when witnessing events on the railway.
“Steve and Sam looked after the individual until the British Transport Police arrived, and then called the signaller to reopen the railway once safe to do so. A shining example of going the extra mile.”
GBRf Managing Director John Smith said: “Steve and Sam’s actions exemplify the kind of culture we engender here at GBRf, and demonstrate the calibre of people that we seek to employ. Their award is fully deserved and a welcome recognition of their actions, and we hope to use their example to inspire and educate a new generation of train managers and staff.”
Merseyrail Assistant Station Manager Stuart Barrett was also awarded an OPC Life Changer award, for saving a man’s life on August 13 2016.
Barrett assisted a man who was not breathing. After he administered CPR and used a defibrillator more than once, eventually the man responded. Rather than go back to work, Barrett stayed and comforted the man’s wife until he was taken to hospital.
The final OPC Life Changer award went to Arriva Rail North Retail Sales Assistant Anne Mason. Based at Bredbury station, she ensured the safety of a teenager.
The 14-year-old boy was carrying a bag and asking for a one-way ticket, which aroused suspicion. Mason discovered he was running away from home to meet someone with whom he’d been communicating on an internet chatroom.
She persuaded him that his choices were either that she could call the police or his parents. He chose the latter and was reunited with them.
Great Western Railway Managing Director Mark Hopwood collected an Outstanding Personal Contribution (Senior