Teenagers save life of suicidal man by pulling him away from oncoming train

Three friends saved the life of a suicidal man when they pulled him away from the path of an oncoming train.

Frankie Smith, Kieran Wood and Ted Dixon had been playing football before passing through Battle town centre on their way home at 9pm on June 1.

As they approached the level crossing in Marley Lane, the boys, all aged 16, discovered a lone figure nearby on the tracks.

They spoke to the man through a fence but when he would not move and with a train approaching they hopped over and pulled him away, holding him against a fence until the train had passed.

“I chased my mate through an alley, being a bit of an idiot, and came across a man,” said Frankie.

“He was telling us about his life. He said he wanted to kill himself.

"We tried to talk him out of it but he wasn’t listening to me.

"We jumped over the fence, got him off the tracks and held him against the fence while the train went by.

“It was a relief for all of us."

After restraining the man, Frankie called the police while his pals stalled the middle aged man, keeping him calm until officers arrived.

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“The police said well done and thanks for your help," said Frankie.

"They called us heroes.”

Frankie said his mum did not believe him when he told her what had happened.

“For us to save someone’s life like that felt unreal," he said.

“She didn’t think it was real. She was happy with how we reacted but she was scared.

"When my dad heard about it he said we were brave.”

Michael Dixon, Ted’s father, said he was “very proud” of his son’s actions.

“The consequences could have been terrible - it was very brave of them,” he said.

“Hopefully we have brought him up to be a moral person and know what the right thing to do is. He is a fantastic boy.”

Nicky Wood, 46, a nurse and Kieran's mother, said: "We are really proud of him.

"It is good to see he has integrity and morals."

She added that the event had "really hit home" for Kieran.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "Police were called to a report of a medical incident at Marley Lane, Battle, at around 9pm on 1 June."

Police referred the man on the tracks to the appropriate medical services.

Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.