A Fife train driver whose quick thinking saved the life of a young boy on the tracks has been honoured for his heroism.
Martin McManus, from Rosyth, beat off stiff competition from over 7,000 colleagues to be named the ScotRail Alliance Employee of the Year 2016 as a result of his incredible actions in April this year.
Martin, who has been driving trains for four years, spotted a three-year-old boy running along the busy track just beyond Wester Hailes station and plucked him to safety – just seconds before another train thundered past at 60mph.
The boy had been separated from his mother and was running along the track to try and catch the train which had just left the station, although mercifully Martin was driving the other way and managed to avert disaster.
Martin was one of 13 on the shortlist for the overall Employee of the Year prize, and a staff vote saw him scoop the accolade at the second annual Your Recognition Awards in Glasgow.
“It feels amazing to be recognised, although I was very humbled at being nominated — I only put the training and knowledge that the railway as provided me in to practice,” he said.
“It’s very much a team effort — dispatchers, conductors and drivers, all working together every single day to deliver for our customers.”
The three-year-old was reunited with his parents, who had rushed back to the station when they realised their son was missing, and he was none-the-worse for his ordeal.
At the time of the incident, modest Martin said he had been “quite surprised” by the furore surrounding what had happened.
“I was only doing my job. Passengers were getting off and thanking me for saving the wee boy,” he said.
“It could have been really tragic so I was lucky I spotted him but it’s all just part of my job.”
Commending Martin, Phil Verster, managing director of the ScotRail Alliance, said: “Our people are vital in making sure our railway works so it is right that those who work tirelessly and give so much to our industry every single day are deservedly recognised.
“There are over 7,000 people who work extremely hard day and night, and in all weather conditions to keep Scotland’s railway running. And together they are playing their part in making a huge contribution to people’s lives, helping to connect communities and build the country’s economy.
“It’s great to get the chance to say thank you to a deserving winner, and to recognise him for his efforts.”
Fellow Fife employee George Reynolds, who works at the Dunfermline customer service centre, was also recognised at the awards for his Outstanding Contribution to Customer Service.
And Kenny Blythe, from Dalgety Bay, scooped the Leader of the Year title at the ScotRail Alliance employee awards.
A local operations manager in Edinburgh, Kenny has worked on the railway for 33 years.
He said: “I would really like to thank my manager for the nomination, I’m really proud to have won.
“Although I don’t consider myself to be an outstanding leader, I consider myself proud to have an outstanding team around me.”
