13/03/2026
Meet train driver Helen Donagher who saved the life of a woman who jumped in front of her train 😰
The 38-year-old, who had only been qualified for three months, started her shift at around 6.30am on a dark January morning last year.
As she was pulling out of the station, something caught her Helen's eye.
She said: "The first thing I thought was 'that's a funny place to walk' and then all of a sudden I heard a big thud but I didn't know exactly what had happened."
When Helen looked on the CCTV she saw a person on the tracks.
She said: "I stopped the train, made sure everything was safe, made sure the train was secure and the passengers couldn't get off, I made sure the line manager knew and the line was blocked and I got off the train.
"Initially, I thought the person might have fallen and asked what she was doing down there and that is when she told me she wanted to get hit by the train."
Helen called emergency services and stayed with the woman who had broken bones until they arrived.
She said: "I was of course relieved that the person was still alive but I was of course shocked.
"I just remember it felt like forever waiting for the paramedics, I don't think it was, they dealt with it really quickly and efficiently but in that moment I was just hoping they got there soon.
"I was so relieved when I saw them, it was quite dark as it was early in the morning, I was shining in my torch so that they could see where we were."
When the paramedics arrived, Helen moved the train to give them access to the patient.
She said: "There were broken bones and bruising but thankfully the person did make a full recovery and hopefully went on to get the support she needed.
"You go into the job knowing things like this are a possibility but it was a shock that it happened so soon into my career."
Helen has been honoured with a star on the walkway at York Station and the LNER Lifesaver Award for what she did.
Amazing work Helen ❤️🙌
