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This could happen to any driver...RIP Sir

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lampsr5

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13 Nov 2018
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Guys first of all apologies if this Is in the wrong section of the forum I wanted to highlight this sad story

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...nths-hitting-killing-suicidal-pedestrian.html
A train driver took his own life just months after hitting and killing a suicidal pedestrian.

Scott Walker was unable to cope with the tragedy and was found dead after police broke into his four-bedroom home in Hull.

The 43-year-old father-of-four had started drinking heavily after the train he was driving hit a pedestrian, who had ended their own life.

Hull Coroner's Court heard that the trauma of the ordeal eventually led to the breakdown of Mr Walker's relationship.

His heartbroken ex-partner told the hearing: 'After the train accident, which was confirmed as a suicide in January 2018, it really affected Scott. He was never the same after that...
There is a high chance that this will unfortunately happen to many of us on the journey to becoming/being a train driver. I feel it's important we all take a moment to remember that we are all only human and terrible incidents like this can have a profound affect on the people involved.


Coming from a motorway background this happens all to often across the UK motorway network, the first thing I always think of Is the poor guy/girl behind the wheel.

I'm not currently in the rail sector but having dealt with similar incidents I know all too well the aftermath of certain situations like the one in the link. I think it's important that theres a clear network of support in place for everyone - no one needs to suffer in silence. So guys if it has happened or happens to you/your colleagues please be there for each other and know that there are always people who will listen and help.

Such a terrible tragedy to happen to anyone, my condolences to the Walker family.

RIP Scott Walker
 
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Louby

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16 Feb 2012
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tocs have a very good chain of care in place, unfortunately this is a hazard of the job, mine was in the first 6 months of passing out, it's getting more and more common im afraid
 

bionic

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8 Nov 2013
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I've never had one in all the years I've been driving. I know some people who've been driving less than me who've had three or four. I know one driver who had one on their first day. Bottom line is its pot luck. You might have one, you might not. Every driver knows it's a possibility but you can't go around thinking about it. That story is very sad and my thoughts are with Scott Walker's family and friends. RIP.
 

Stigy

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I’m only just about to start the long journey to becoming a train driver, and see this almost as something to expect at some point. It’s not nice for anybody, and each person deals with these things differently. I’ve been on the railway for 12 years and have seen my fair share of ‘one unders’ but from an aftermath point of view. I get on with it, but I can’t hekp feel these incidents affect us all, even if we seemingly aren’t affected by them.

RIP Scott.
 

Driver84

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I've witnessed 2 and had one. It's not nice. A driver on our side never returned because he hit a mother and young daughter. Then a year later hit the father.
All depends on how you deal with the situation and network of friends and family around you.
Then again I know guys who look for them to get the time off.
 

Minilad

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RIP Drive
This should never be looked upon as an occupational hazard. If the worst happens take advantage of any help that is offered to you.
 

Termy

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A driver on our side never returned because he hit a mother and young daughter. Then a year later hit the father.
Ouch. That's absolutely painful to hear, I can't imagine how he felt. :( My absolute sympathies go out to any and all drivers who have experienced this kind of event. It's actually one of the parts of the job I would be dreading to experience.
 

Louby

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Ouch. That's absolutely painful to hear, I can't imagine how he felt. :( My absolute sympathies go out to any and all drivers who have experienced this kind of event. It's actually one of the parts of the job I would be dreading to experience.
I worked in mental health before I was a driver , helped me understand the whys etc , yes I was shook up, but I’d worked dammed hard to get this career , if it wasnt my train it would have been someone else , it effects people in different ways , 2 weeks I was back at work , for me sitting at home wasnt working , needed to get back at it
 

insane_lewis

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31 Jan 2012
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35
I've witnessed 2 and had one. It's not nice. A driver on our side never returned because he hit a mother and young daughter. Then a year later hit the father.
All depends on how you deal with the situation and network of friends and family around you.
Then again I know guys who look for them to get the time off.


This sounds like the young woman at Sanderstead. She pulled her kid down right at the last min. I wasn't on the railway then but owned a local business. Was horrific.

I still curl my toes when going through fast in certain hot spots.
 

Dynamonic

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10 Jan 2013
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648
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I was told in my Driver Managers Interview that there would be a high probability of me hitting a person during my driving career, and was asked if I felt I would be able to cope in these situations.

I obviously have a massive hope that I don’t encounter this situation, but I know that there is a great chain of care system available if it comes to that.
 

Aivilo

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15 Jan 2014
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Thought go out to Scott, his family and friends.

It's something you cannot prepare for and will never know how you will feel until it happens.
Yes there is a certain cold heartedness in mess rooms but it's not genuine. Nobody hopes to have a fatality it's more of a coping mechanism for the horrible reality.

I've dealt with and had more than my fair share and I truly hope it's something that never happens again
 

1494

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Weymouth, Dorset
Just on this, the police service is the same. As are the other emergency services. The cold heartedness doesn’t reflect what people actually feel, like you say it is just a natural coping mechanism. This form of black humour really does help amongst your colleagues Joking about it doesn’t make you a bad person. But you do need to take full advantage of any welfare provisions provided.

Being a police officer I have seen and dealt with my fair share of trauma, death and grief. Whilst when I eventually join the railway I hope to leave that all behind, I know the likely hood of hitting someone will always be there.

I just hope the railway have enough welfare provisions in place to look after their drivers after the inevitable happens.

Does anyone have more information on what things get put in place after a one under?
 

dctraindriver

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9 Jan 2017
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580
Just on this, the police service is the same. As are the other emergency services. The cold heartedness doesn’t reflect what people actually feel, like you say it is just a natural coping mechanism. This form of black humour really does help amongst your colleagues Joking about it doesn’t make you a bad person. But you do need to take full advantage of any welfare provisions provided.

Being a police officer I have seen and dealt with my fair share of trauma, death and grief. Whilst when I eventually join the railway I hope to leave that all behind, I know the likely hood of hitting someone will always be there.

I just hope the railway have enough welfare provisions in place to look after their drivers after the inevitable happens.

Does anyone have more information on what things get put in place after a one under?

While you’ve experienced sudden deaths or sus deaths including deaths of infants as a copper never forget the potential is there that your train will end the life of someone. And that’s it in a nutshell, your train did it, not you. They chose it that way and your train did it.

It’s as simple as that, however as you’re a human being it’s not that simple to think that way, some take it very badly. It depends on the circs, it’s never as simple as the question you ask....

Your future employers look after you. Sure you’ll be drug and alcohol screened and as long as that’s clear you’ll be fine. Your line manager will be supportive. However I do question how much support your line manager gets. They potentially have to deal with distress many times over yet I think their level of support isn’t as good. Never underestimate a managers role, I wouldn’t do it for all the tea in China it’s not easy....

You’ll receive scant updates as to what’s happening regarding coroners court etc, however as a copper you should be able to sort that in your head. You won’t be pressured into rushing back, and if you decide this job isn’t right for you maybe you’ll be redeployed.
 

C J Snarzell

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I'm an ex-police officer and I have to agree and disagree with some of the comments on this thread.

I served in the police force for 15 years and I dealt with all manner of deaths. I went to nursing homes to take reports of terminally ill elderly people which was pretty straight forward, to dealing with the aftermath of a murder or a suicide which can be quite harrowing. I became quite desensitized to dealing with death which unfortunately is a sad part of life.

I think the difference with train driving is that drivers are actually involved in the death (through no fault of their own!) and I suppose it's a bit like someone throwing themselves under a police car on a 999 call!

Several years ago, a Bobbby who worked at the same station as me was involved in a fatal PVA (police vehicle accident) when he hit a pedestrian in the road while responding to a 999 call. After a lengthy investigation and a coroner's inquest he was cleared of any wrong doing and even the victim's family actually told him they had no malice and didn't find him at fault. He was even travelling under the speed limit (police allow officers to travel up to 20 mph above the limit on a blue light run) at the time. Sadly after a couple of years, in which he refused to get behind the wheel of any police vehicle, he resigned from the force and the last I heard he had moved to Wales to work in retail.

The point is that I was not or never involved directly in a death - I simply dealt with the aftermath which was bad enough. I cannot even imagine how someone like my colleague and the poor train driver would feel!!!

One thing I will say is that rail companies have excellent welfare facilities that are far better than what the police have. I believe drivers have to go through an automatic period of suspension from driving after a fatality. This is done not to waver any blame - it's done to look after the driver while they go through the early stages of the trauma. I am also lead to believe when drivers do return to work, some companies appoint a second driver to work with them for several weeks for support.
 

Driver84

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Joined
11 May 2019
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16
This sounds like the young woman at Sanderstead. She pulled her kid down right at the last min. I wasn't on the railway then but owned a local business. Was horrific.

I still curl my toes when going through fast in certain hot spots.
This happened on a foot crossing in Norfolk on a Intercity service. Mother took a chance, daughter trip, mother went back.
 

Louby

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16 Feb 2012
Messages
669
I'm an ex-police officer and I have to agree and disagree with some of the comments on this thread.

I served in the police force for 15 years and I dealt with all manner of deaths. I went to nursing homes to take reports of terminally ill elderly people which was pretty straight forward, to dealing with the aftermath of a murder or a suicide which can be quite harrowing. I became quite desensitized to dealing with death which unfortunately is a sad part of life.

I think the difference with train driving is that drivers are actually involved in the death (through no fault of their own!) and I suppose it's a bit like someone throwing themselves under a police car on a 999 call!

Several years ago, a Bobbby who worked at the same station as me was involved in a fatal PVA (police vehicle accident) when he hit a pedestrian in the road while responding to a 999 call. After a lengthy investigation and a coroner's inquest he was cleared of any wrong doing and even the victim's family actually told him they had no malice and didn't find him at fault. He was even travelling under the speed limit (police allow officers to travel up to 20 mph above the limit on a blue light run) at the time. Sadly after a couple of years, in which he refused to get behind the wheel of any police vehicle, he resigned from the force and the last I heard he had moved to Wales to work in retail.

The point is that I was not or never involved directly in a death - I simply dealt with the aftermath which was bad enough. I cannot even imagine how someone like my colleague and the poor train driver would feel!!!

One thing I will say is that rail companies have excellent welfare facilities that are far better than what the police have. I believe drivers have to go through an automatic period of suspension from driving after a fatality. This is done not to waver any blame - it's done to look after the driver while they go through the early stages of the trauma. I am also lead to believe when drivers do return to work, some companies appoint a second driver to work with them for several weeks for support.
no you can go back straight away, depending on the nature of the incident, straight forward suicide it's your choice, they recommend to take time off for delayed shock, which i did but returned after 2 weeks, on my own , everyone is different , it effects everyone different, it's not a black& white area, it's quite simply your choice, might sound harsh but i don't give it a second thought, not worth the space in my head
 

UPS1550

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1 May 2019
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144
Not everyone needs to be forced to take time off or have therapy / psychiatric support etc, if they don't need or want to talk about something attempting to make them do so can cause a far greater problem,absolutely offer the support but don't force it if it's turned down
 
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