THREE North Somerset teenagers have been praised for their heroic interventions in reaching out to someone in distress.
Jayden Burden, 14, and 16-year-old friends Grace Hewer and Ruby Parker stepped up after spotting a person in a vulnerable state this summer.
Grace, who attends Weston College, called British Transport Police, before she and Ruby struck up conversation with the person – and Jayden contacted Network Rail to ask them for further support.
Train enthusiast Jayden attends Ravenswood special education school in Nailsea, who presented him with a special award for maturity and braveness.
Jayden’s Dad Rob said: “Jayden likes to keep himself to himself, but he really stepped out of his comfort zone on this occasion.
“We are so proud of him as he took charge of the situation, asked for help and possibly saved a person’s life.”
Grace, said: “I just tried to calm them down and reassure them everything was going to be ok. I didn’t really have time to think. It was just instinct.”
Great Western Railway flagship station manager for the Bristol area, Alex Hills, said: “These three teenagers showed incredible quick-thinking and acted on instinct.
“Everyone at Great Western Railway is incredibly proud of these three young people and can’t praise them enough for their quick-thinking.”
Network Rail station delivery manager, Gabriella Colwell, said: “The actions taken by Jayden, Grace and Ruby were remarkable – each of them took the initiative in a challenging situation. We’d like to thank them for showing such courage.
“Throughout the year, we work with Samaritans to show that each of us has the skills to help with a person in distress and these three teenagers proved that with their quick-thinking and level-headed actions. They are a brilliant example to us all.”
Samaritans has worked in partnership with the rail industry and British Transport Police to reduce suicides on the railway for more than 10 years and has trained over 31,000 rail and BTP staff to look out for passengers and make conversation if they feel someone might be vulnerable.
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