TWO teenage friends who rescued a man by jumping onto railway tracks just as a train pulled in have been nominated for a Proud of Barnsley award.
Freddie Corbett and Harley Hollingworth, both 16, were at Bolton-on-Dearne station, waiting for the last train home, when a distressed man jumped onto the tracks, and they heard him say he was going to kill himself.
Without thought for their own welfare, the lads jumped onto the tracks and managed to get the man to safety seconds before a train pulled in.
They talked to the man and ensured his safety until police arrived to take over the man’s care.
The pair were called ‘angels’ after the incident in May with a Network Rail employee saying that they undoubtedly saved the man’s life.
The Network Rail employee Gary Robinson posted about the incident on social media.
“Called out tonight to a male with intent to self harm on the railway,” he wrote. “These two lads were his angels! Dragged him off the railway... sat with him talking ‘til I got there and make no mistake, saved his life!”
Freddie’s mum Jill Corbett said that their parents were extremely proud of their actions but that she wasn’t surprised.
“We’re unbelievably proud of them but I wasn’t surprised Freddie is so caring and he wouldn’t walk past something, he’d always try to help.
“I don’t think the gravity of what happened sunk in for them for a while and it has hit Freddie quite hard. It’s only now that things are calming down.
“They were in the middle of their GCSEs at the time and they have had a lot to contend with, doing their exams and leaving school but they are doing fine.
“They are both starting apprenticeships with Freddie training to be an electrician and Harley doing plumbing. They have had a great summer and it will be good for them to get into a routine.
“They have had an acknowledgment and thank you from British Transport Police for what they did and they were invited to Leeds Fest at the weekend as VIP guests in recognition for what they did which was amazing. Freddie kept saying it was the best three days of his life.”
Jill says Freddie and Harley and their families are ‘over the moon’ at the nomination.
“One big thing to come out of this is that the lads are flying the flag for young people who don’t always get the best press and are sending out the message that teens are good.”
