Tweet Check

RAIL’s new service aims to answer your questions, debunk the myths, and get to the unvarnished truth behind some of the most common claims and queries we spot on social media.

LNER

RAIL’s verdict: We’ve opted to run just one tweet in this edition of Tweetcheck, as we wanted to devote the space to applauding LNER’s social media team for its exemplary handling of a fatality that caused significant disruption on the East Coast Main Line on October 15.

Rather than simply publishing the briefest of apologies to frustrated passengers waiting on (or for) late-running trains, LNER departed with convention to also ask them to be mindful of the far more significant effects that these tragic events can have on grieving families and friends.

And it wasn’t only RAIL which found the tweet compassionate, sensitive and thoughtful, with more than 3,000 Twitter users ‘liking’ it by the time this issue of the magaazine went to press.

Almost 400 people had also retweeted it - including RAIL Managing Editor and Events Director Nigel Harris, who said: “The tragic circumstances have brought out the best in LNER - this is really excellent comms. Well done.”

Among the other comments on Twitter, a friend of the affected family thanked LNER and added that their thoughts were also with the train driver and other front-facing staff members who were involved in dealing with the incident.

Other users also showed their appreciation to LNER, and were in complete agreement that it is always better to arrive late at a destination rather than not at all. This was nicely summed up by Barry Coomer, who said: “Even the most unreasonable person must appreciate the sentiment”, and Keegan Shore who tweeted: “LNER has done amazing today. Such a terrible tragedy”.

It is also worth taking this opportunity to remind readers of Samaritans’ Small Talk Saves Live campaign, which provides more information on suicide prevention at: https://www.samaritans.org/ support-us/campaign/small-talk-saves-lives/