Train operator Northern‘s policy of training its staff how to respond to medical emergencies paid off when one of its conductors helped a passenger during a medical emergency on a train to Manchester.

Conductor James Johnston, who has worked for Northern for seven years, was travelling on the train when a passenger approached him and said he felt unwell.

After making space for the passenger on the busy train, he made an appeal on the public address system, asking anyone with medical experience to come forward.

In response to James’ appeal, a retired A&E consultant stepped forward to help while James phoned emergency services, which advised him that the train should continue to Manchester instead of stopping at a station in a rural area and waiting for an ambulance to arrive.

James helped to keep the passenger comfortable and reassured everyone on board while updating the call handler on the passenger’s condition.

The man’s condition had improved slightly by the time they got to Manchester, where staff from Network Rail took over and waited with him until the ambulance arrived.

James commented that although it was a serious incident, it wasn’t an option to stop the train in the middle of nowhere and wait for help. Unless the passenger’s condition deteriorated, it was quicker and easier to continue to Manchester and get assistance there.

It was the first time James had experienced something like that, but he was lucky that someone with medical experience was on board and another conductor who could help.

The retired A&E consultant asked to remain anonymous but said James was absolutely brilliant and he was really impressed with how he dealt with the situation.

Following the incident, James was presented with a Conductor of the Month Award for his actions.

James’ colleague Mike Brannigan also received the award after he helped a customer who was in distress near Dinting Vale. Mike, who has worked for Northern for eight years, halted the train and calmed the customer down before contacting British Transport Police.

Mike commented that he knew something wasn’t right straight away, so he just tried to talk to him and get him back on the train, as he wanted to make sure he was safe while getting him some help.

A mother has praised a conductor working for train operator Northern for his quick reactions when he helped her baby during a medical emergency. In January, she was travelling from Knottingley to Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire with her partner and six-month-old son Austin, when she found a tube fitted to drain excess fluid from her son’s brain had become loose and was leaking. The train’s conductor provided them with some bandages to try to stop the leak, and a foil blanket to keep the baby warm before the parents could get their baby to a hospital for emergency treatment.

“We re extremely proud of James and Mike for remaining calm and professional in difficult situations. We would also like to thank the member of the public who stepped up to help the passenger who fell ill. Incidents like these show our conductors, who are on board every service, are not just there to check tickets. They work hard to keep millions of passengers safe every year.”

Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern