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Wednesday 10 Sep 2025

Life-saving interventions on rail network up more than 50%

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: North & East

The number of life-saving interventions across Network Rail’s North & East* rail network increased by over 57% this year, new figures show.

There were 183 interventions by rail staff, British Transport Police, local police and members of the public for the year ending March 2025 – up from 116 during the previous 12 months.

This World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September), Network Rail is reminding the public to recognise the vital role they can play in saving lives by learning how to spot when someone may be in emotional distress near the railway and how to safely take action.

The call comes as Network Rail marks the 15^th anniversary of our partnership with Samaritans, which has transformed how the rail industry has dealt with vulnerable people around the network.

Over the past year, the number of life-saving interventions on Britain’s rail network as a whole rose by 18% – highlighting the continued impact of this collaboration.

Don Coffey, a train driver for TransPennine Express and a lifelong rail enthusiast, knows the importance of looking out for others after helping a member of the public in distress. In this video, he offers a warm look into his life and shares his experience.

Louise McNally, Network Rail’s suicide prevention lead, said: “The number of life-saving interventions on the railway has doubled since the partnership first began in 2010, a powerful demonstration of the impact of our partnership with Samaritans across the rail network.

“The railway is not just a place of work or travel, but also a community where small acts of compassion can truly save lives.

“Our Rail Suicide Prevention Programme helps the entire industry to respond effectively to people in distress, while also providing invaluable support to staff involved in these difficult incidents.”

Dave Brown, head of rail programme at Samaritans, said: “Since 2010, Network Rail and Samaritans have been working together to ensure that fewer people die by suicide on the rail. As demonstrated in Don’s story, we know that 67% of people in the UK would appreciate someone checking on them, offering words of support, if they were struggling to cope.

 “As part of our partnership, we equip both rail staff and the public with the confidence to approach someone they may think is in distress. By doing this, they could save a life.”

To date, more than 31,000 rail employees and British Transport Police officers have been trained in suicide prevention techniques through the Samaritans’ Managing Suicidal Contacts course. This training has enabled staff to recognise the signs of someone in distress and offer assistance in critical moments.