A doctor has been recognised for her quick thinking and bravery after she saved a man who had jumped onto the tracks at a London tube station.
Debra Fine, from Highgate, was honoured by British Transport Police with a prestigious Chief Constable’s Commendation.
Guests at the award ceremony on Thursday heard how in March 2013 Ms Fine, who was a medical student at the time, was waiting for a train at Tottenham Court Road station, when she saw a man step down from the platform onto the tracks just as a train was entering the station.
Without a thought for her own safety, she grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him back onto the platform before the train could hit them.
Ms Fine then tried to calm the man down and went to seek help from station staff. However the man had run off when she returned.
In an act of kindness and commitment she searched the station and found him again and stayed with him until police officers arrived.
Ms Fine said: “I did what any one else would have done, I acted instinctively and didn’t really think about what I was doing at the time, I just wanted to make sure a distressed young man didn't get hurt.
“I was able to calm him down and dissuade him from trying to take his life again. He actually thanked me as I left him, which was an amazing feeling."
Presenting the award, by Paul Crowther, chief constable of the British Transport Police, said: “This was an act of pure selfless courage. There is no doubt that Debra’s quick thinking saved a man’s life. I am absolutely delighted to take this opportunity to personally thank her for her incredible bravery.”
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