A HUNTINGDON railwaywoman saved the life of a depressed hospital patient by stopping her committing suicide under the wheels of a 125mph express train. And last week, 44-year-old new grandmother Teresa Steer was honoured by her employers with two Gold Exc

A HUNTINGDON railwaywoman saved the life of a depressed hospital patient by stopping her committing suicide under the wheels of a 125mph express train.

And last week, 44-year-old new grandmother Teresa Steer was honoured by her employers with two Gold Excellence Awards.

Teresa, who lives in Chatteris, was about to go off duty as customer assistant at Huntingdon station when she saw the young woman arrive at the station and was immediately concerned for her welfare.

Fearing the worst, she immediately alerted Network Rail controllers, who ordered trains to slow to walking pace. She followed the young woman along the platform, where she was sitting on the platform edge.

"I knew I had to stop the trains first, and then I sat talking with her for a while," Teresa told The Hunts Post. "Suddenly, as a GNER [express] train approached very slowly, she went onto the track.

"I had to get permission to follow her. It was the worst I had ever seen her, and I spent about 20 minutes talking to her before I persuaded her to leave. I was trying to make her understand that, just because she was taking medication did not make her a burden. Lots of people have to take medication every day.

"I suggested she put down how she was feeling on paper to show to her doctors. I haven't seen her since, so I hope she's all right.

"I would like to think I saved her life," added Teresa, who joined the railway seven years ago and whose first grandchild, Mckelvey Benjamin, was born last October shortly after the incident.

Her second gold award at the same ceremony staged by train operator First Capital Connect was in recognition of the helps she provides for disabled people.

"A customer who uses a wheelchair wrote acknowledging the dedication Teresa has provided for him over the past three years," said a spokesman for FCC. "She helps him safely embark and disembark trains, stays beyond hours, updates him on train disruption, organises taxis, and walks him back to his car.

"Teresa has shown a level of customer care that is exceptional to First Capital Connect."

Teresa, who used to work in a care home for elderly people is employed to help customers, particularly disabled and elderly people, at the station and to keep it clean and safe.

At the awards ceremony last week, FCC's managing director Elaine Holt said: "I have a great level of pride in, inspiration from and respect for our Gold Excellence Award winners and their commitment in going the extra mile in delivering outstanding customer service, safety excellence and dedication beyond the call of duty.