Teen Heroes Save Suicidal Man from Train TracksTeen Heroes Save Suicidal Man from Train Tracks Three brave teenagers have been commended by police for risking their own safety to save the life of a suicidal man. Frankie Smith, Kieran Wood, and Ted Dixon, all just 16 years old, were playing tag on their way home when they came across the middle-aged man near a railway line. Despite the man’s reluctance to move, the boys leaped over a fence and pulled him away from the tracks as a train approached. They held him against the fence until the train had passed. Frankie recounted the incident, saying, “We tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn’t listen. We jumped the fence, got him off the track, and held him against the fence as the train passed by.” The police praised the boys’ actions, calling them heroes. Frankie’s mother was initially skeptical but expressed pride and concern for their safety. Ted’s father, Michael Dixon, said, “The consequences could have been terrible – it was very brave of them.” Kieran’s mother, Nicky Wood, added, “It’s good to see he has integrity and morals.” A Sussex Police spokesperson confirmed that they had referred the man to the appropriate medical services. The incident underscores the importance of mental health awareness and the willingness of young people to help those in distress. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help. The Samaritans offer a free 24/7 helpline at 116 123, or you can email [email protected].
Frankie Smith, Kieran Wood and Ted Dixon, all aged 16, came across the middle-aged man while playing tag on their way home and risked their safety by jumping to his aid.
Teenage friends Frankie Smith (right), Kieran Wood (centre) and Ted Dixon (left) have been praised by police for their heroic actions(
Three friends have been praised by police for pulling a suicidal man from the path of an oncoming train, saving his life.
The boys, all 16 years old, came across the middle-aged man while playing tag on their way home and risked their safety by jumping to his aid. Frankie Smith, Kieran Wood and Ted Dixon were playing football before driving through Battle town center on their way home at 9pm on June 1.
As they approached the level crossing on Marley Lane, the boys spotted a lone figure near the railway line. They talked to him through a fence, but when he wouldn’t move and a train approached, they jumped over and pulled him away, holding him against a fence until the train had passed.
Frankie said: “I was chasing my mate down an alley, being a bit of an idiot, and came across a man. He told us about his life. He said he wanted to kill himself. We tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn’t listen to me. We jumped the fence, got him off the track and held him against the fence as the train passed by. It was a relief for all of us.”
The level crossing at Marley Lane, Battle (
After restraining the man, Frankie called the police while his friends apprehended the man and kept him calm until officers arrived. “The police said well done and thanks for your help,” Frankie said. “They called us heroes.” Frankie said his mother didn’t believe him when he told her what happened.
“It felt surreal that we could save someone’s life like this,” he said. ‘She didn’t think it was real. She was happy with how we responded, but she was scared. When my father heard about it, he said we were brave. Michael Dixon, Ted’s father, said he was “very proud” of his son’s actions. He added: “The consequences could have been terrible – it was very brave of them. Hopefully we have raised him to be a moral person and know what the right thing to do is that he is a wonderful boy.
Nicky Wood, 46, a nurse and mother of Kieran, said: “We are really proud of him. It’s good to see he has integrity and morals.” She added that the event was “really a success” for Kieran. A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: “Police were called to a report of a medical incident in Marley Lane, Battle, at around 9pm on June 1.” The police referred the man on the track to the competent medical service.
If you are struggling and want to talk, the Samaritans have a free 24/7 helpline on 116 123. You can also email [email protected] or visit their site to find your local branch.
