A TransPennine Express (TPE) driver has been commended for his quick thinking and bravery after helping a person in distress at Redcar Central station in 2024. Simon Kirk, based in York, received a British Transport Police (BTP) Divisional Commander’s Commendation at a ceremony in Birmingham in recognition of his actions.

During a routine shift, Simon noticed something unusual on the platform. “It didn’t seem normal,” he recalled. “It was raining, and I could see someone lying on the ground. I rang the conductor and asked for a few minutes to check on them.”

Upon investigating, he discovered a person unconscious, not breathing, and with a serious head injury. Drawing on his previous experience as a lifeguard, Simon immediately began CPR while instructing the conductor to call for an ambulance.

“I just acted on instinct,” he said. “Once I realised they weren’t breathing, all my old training kicked in. When they started breathing again, it was a huge relief. I was just glad I could help until the ambulance arrived.”

Reflecting on receiving the award, Simon added: “I feel really proud to have received this award. We spend every day doing our best to keep people safe, and this experience reminded me how important that really is. It has also shown me just how valuable first aid knowledge can be – you never know when you might need it.”

Rob Cox, Operations Director for TPE, said:

“Simon’s calm and courageous response made an important difference. We’re incredibly proud of his actions, which reflect the professionalism and care shown by colleagues across our network.”

Image: TransPennine Express