‘I just wanted to let him know I cared’: Train conductor praised for helping boy in distress

Paul Singh, who has worked for the operator for three years, spotted the teenager when he was working on a train heading to Manchester Piccadilly in June.

The 36-year-old sat with the boy and spoke with him for more than 30 minutes, while a family member and the British Transport Police officers were called.

He then left the teenager with a Northern colleague so he could get back onto the train and make sure the customers on board reached their destination.

“I sat him down and talked to him to find out what was going on,” he said.

“I told him my name and said I’ll stay as long as he needs, as he’s my priority. I just spoke to him and told him he had his whole life ahead of him.

“I told him about the Samaritans and said he can speak to them at any point for free, get some good support and get the help he needs.”

He added: “I’ve got kids myself, so I just spoke to him like he’s my own child and told him about all the help that is available. I just wanted to let him know I cared and nothing else mattered at that point.

“I left him with a colleague, got the passengers back to Manchester Piccadilly, before taking a deep breath and mulling it over.”

British Transport Police said officers attended and the teenager was taken to a place of safety.

Mr Singh is one of three Northern conductors who were recognised for stepping up to help customers in June.

Anyone can contact Samaritans, free, 24/7, 365 days a year, on 116 123, email  [email protected] or visit www.samaritans.org

They can also download Chasing the Stigma’s Hub of Hope app, which brings together all the mental health support options available to someone in any given area.

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.   

Note to editor: The conductor is not available for interview. The specific date, time and location of the incident has been omitted from this press release to protect the identity of the individual involved and to avoid causing any distress or upset to his friends and family.