Hero train driver Gemma from Hull saves life after spotting person in distress

A train driver from Hull saved a life when she intervened after spotting what appeared to be a person in distress.

Gemma was driving a Northern Rail service travelling from Scarborough to Sheffield when she noticed a car parked in a field next to the track.

Northern said Gemma "undoubtedly" saved the person's life by phoning emergency services with the pinpointed location. The emergency services thankfully recovered the person from the vehicle alive.

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Because of her intervention, Gemma has been nominated for a National Rail Award (Outstanding Personal Contribution category) for helping to save the life of a person in distress. Affectionately known as the ‘rail industry Oscars’, the awards recognise people and companies for innovation and excellence in the industry.

Gemma will find out if she has picked up the award at a ceremony in London on Thursday, September 12, this year. She is one of eight employees of the train operator Northern that have been shortlisted for an award.

The other nominees from Northern are:

• Adam Mansbridge – a conductor from Leeds who demonstrated exceptional vigilance and quick-thinking that ensured the safe return of two missing children to their family

• Andrew Williamson – a deputy station manager at Barrow-in-Furness who stepped up to help customers affected by the storms that caused widespread disruption in Cumbria

• Graham Blake – a customer service assistant at Holmes Chapel station who has worked with the local parish council to help ‘Stylers’ (fans of the singer Harry Styles) when visiting the musician’s hometown

• Martin Rodger – a driver team manager from Newcastle who has been recognised for his 39-year service as the lead investigator for safety in the North East

• Paul Wilkinson – a conductor from Blackpool who identified two schoolgirls as ‘at risk’ and was able to alert British Transport Police and reunite them with their parents

• Darin Astbury and Stewart Hall have received a joint nomination for their work as customer service assistants at Brinnington station in Stockport, where they created a ‘Swap Shop’ that provides food, clothes, books and other household items for those in need in the local community.