In a heartwarming display of kindness and quick thinking, two railway staff members, James Waring and Abdi Sharey, have been hailed as heroes after reuniting a lost and unaccompanied child with her family at Blackburn station. The incident highlights the importance of having a visible staff presence across the network and underscores the commitment to actively ensuring that safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility.
On a typical day in August, James and Abdi were on shift at Blackburn station when they noticed a young girl walking towards the ticket barriers alone. Concerned for her welfare, they approached her and asked a few questions to determine her situation. Realizing she was lost and unaccompanied, they immediately contacted the police to report the incident and request assistance.
Greater Manchester Police, which had launched a major search operation to locate the child earlier that day, dispatched officers to the station to pick her up and reunite her with her family. Thanks to the swift actions of James and Abdi, the child was safely returned to her loved ones, putting an end to a distressing and worrying ordeal.
“We’re incredibly proud of James and Abdi for reacting so quickly to help reunite this girl with her family,” said Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern. “Staff working at stations across our network are not just there to check tickets. They help protect thousands of people who travel on our services and are trained to respond to a wide range of challenging situations.”
James, who works for Northern, and Abdi, employed by Carlisle Support Services (CSS), a company that provides gateline staff for the train operator, demonstrated exceptional professionalism and compassion in their response to the situation. Their actions not only ensured the child’s safety but also provided a sense of security and reassurance to the passengers around them.
“This incident highlights the importance of having a visible staff presence across the network and underscores our commitment to actively ensuring that safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility,” said Steve Cere, director of rail strategy for CSS. “James and Abdi’s actions underscore our team’s dedication to keeping all passengers’ safety and wellbeing at the forefront of everything we do, and we couldn’t be prouder of them.”
Since 2022, Northern’s operational colleagues have been trained to spot vulnerable people on the railway and get them to safety. This training, provided by the charity ‘Railway Children’, focuses on identifying individuals at risk and helping with early forms of intervention. The charity’s work is crucial in supporting vulnerable individuals and families, and its partnership with Northern has made a significant difference in keeping passengers safe.
The successful outcome of this incident is a testament to the importance of effective communication, collaboration, and quick thinking in emergency situations. It also highlights the value of staff training and the impact that individual actions can have on the lives of others.
As the railway industry continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of passengers, stories like this serve as a reminder of the critical role that staff play in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of everyone who uses the network. James and Abdi’s heroism is a shining example of the kind of dedication and compassion that is at the heart of the railway industry.
The training provided by ‘Railway Children’ is a vital component in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of passengers. The charity’s expertise in identifying individuals at risk and providing early intervention has been instrumental in supporting vulnerable individuals and families.
Northern’s operational colleagues have undergone extensive training to equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to respond to emergency situations. This training has been designed to ensure that staff are equipped to handle a wide range of challenging situations, from dealing with lost children to providing support to passengers with mental health issues.
The training program has been developed in partnership with ‘Railway Children’ and is designed to provide staff with the confidence and skills necessary to respond effectively in emergency situations. The program covers a range of topics, including child protection, mental health awareness, and crisis management.
The successful outcome of this incident is a testament to the importance of effective communication and collaboration between different organizations and agencies. The swift response of James and Abdi, combined with the efforts of Greater Manchester Police, demonstrates the value of working together to ensure the safety and wellbeing of passengers.
The partnership between Northern and ‘Railway Children’ is a prime example of the benefits of collaboration. The charity’s expertise in identifying individuals at risk and providing early intervention has been instrumental in supporting vulnerable individuals and families.
The partnership has also enabled Northern to develop a comprehensive approach to safeguarding, which includes training for staff, awareness campaigns for passengers, and partnerships with local authorities and community organizations.
James and Abdi’s heroism is a shining example of the impact that individual actions can have on the lives of others. Their quick thinking and compassion in responding to the situation ensured the safe return of the child to her family, putting an end to a distressing and worrying ordeal.
Their actions also served as a reminder of the critical role that staff play in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of passengers. James and Abdi’s dedication to their work and commitment to keeping passengers safe is a testament to the kind of professionalism and compassion that is at the heart of the railway industry.
The story of James and Abdi’s heroism is a heartwarming reminder of the importance of staff training, collaboration, and individual actions in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of passengers. Their quick thinking and compassion in responding to the situation ensured the safe return of the child to her family, putting an end to a distressing and worrying ordeal.
As the railway industry continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of passengers, stories like this serve as a reminder of the critical role that staff play in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of everyone who uses the network. James and Abdi’s heroism is a shining example of the kind of dedication and compassion that is at the heart of the railway industry.