By Callum Wright
A Mansfield teenager’s life was saved when police officers were able to stop a moving train after she climbed onto the tracks.
The 19-year-old girl had been found walking across the tracks at Mansfield Train Station on Sunday, October 13, and the police were called after concerns were raised for her safety.
She refused to move off the lines after response officers pleaded with her, and a train soon arrived with the girl lying down on the tracks.
Before the train could cause any harm, however, the officers flashed torches to get the driver’s attention, and he was able to bring it to a stop only meters from her location.
PC Harry Stevenson, PC Abbie Shetliffe, PC Jo Prince, PC Dan Gilbert and PC Phil McCormack have been praised by Nottinghamshire Police for their heroics that day.
PC Stevenson in particular had only been in the force for six months, and walked across an 18″ wall to communicate with the teenager before another train arrived.
The teenager was helped onto the wall, which had a 20ft drop, by multiple officers and was eventually brought to safety and taken to Kings Mill Hospital.
Sgt Colin Jones, from Mansfield response team, said: “Officers called to this incident provided an exemplary service, not only stopping a moving train but also putting their own safety at risk to ensure she came to no further harm.
“Quick-thinking officers linked themselves together by looping their arms through each other’s stab vests to ensure no one fell off the wall, which had a 20ft drop.
“Officers showed great resilience in what was an extremely intense situation, putting their own safety at risk to prevent the distressed teenager coming to harm.
“I have no doubts without their actions on that day the teenager would have died. They should be immensely proud of their actions on that night.”
Chief Inspector Paul Hennessy said: “What happened that night would have taken immense courage and bravery, with dynamic decision-making to ensure that a teenage girl’s life was saved.
“These are actions that our response teams are replicating across the county day in, day out, never seeking to receive praise or recognition.
“The actions of our response officers undoubtedly saved her life and she is now receiving the support she needs.”
Anyone struggling with mental health are encouraged to call Samaritans 24/7, 365 days a year on 116 123 for free, and in an emergency to dial 999.
