- New landmark research reveals the most effective measures to
prevent railway suicide tragedies.
- Coincides with World Suicide Prevention Day as Samaritans
calls on the public to take action if they think someone might be
suicidal.
- Government requires all publicly owned train operators to
provide regular suicide prevention training.
Passengers and rail staff are at the heart of new
Government-funded research published today (10 September),
looking into the most effective measures to save lives and
protect families from the devastating impact of railway suicide.
Improved safety measures, responsible media reporting and
increased support for people in crisis are among the most
important strategies aimed to help the rail industry both prevent
and respond to traumatic events.
Every suicide represents a significant and tragic loss of life
with far-reaching impacts on families, friends, rail staff, and
the broader community, and the Government is committed to
preventing such tragedies and supporting those affected.
Rail Minister, Lord said:
"Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy and this research
ensures we are doing everything possible to reduce the risks,
support those in need, and protect families from unimaginable
loss on our railways.
“We are committed to working with our partners across the rail
industry, health services, and charities to save lives, and as we
move towards Great British Railways, we're putting passengers
first and making rail travel safer for everyone.”
Key findings of the report include the effectiveness of physical
interventions to prevent both suicide attempts and accidental
falls, such as increased fencing along tracks to reduce access to
high-risk areas.
With evidence showing rail suicides and accidental deaths having
significant psychological effects on train drivers, trauma
support training was shown as highly recommended by rail staff,
who felt it reduced stress following a distressing event.
The report also highlights evidence to suggest that staff
training programmes increases staff confidence in identifying and
intervening in suicide attempts.
Building on these discoveries, the Government is now requiring
all publicly owned train operators provide frontline staff with
regular suicide prevention training – forming part of the move
towards Great British Railways, with passenger safety remaining
at its heart.
The rail industry is also committed to supporting people in times
of need. In partnership with Samaritans and British Transport
Police, Network Rail launched the Small Talk Saves Lives campaign
- empowering the public to start a simple conversation if someone
doesn't look okay on the railway.
Louise McNally, Suicide and Trespass Prevention Lead, at
Network Rail said:
“Lives lost on the railway have a ripple effect, with tragedies
touching everyone from the family and friends of victims, to our
colleagues who have to cope with the aftermath. That's why we
work together as an industry to provide training and physical
improvements to the railway so we can respond effectively to
people in distress.
Our partnership campaign with the Samaritans - Small Talk Saves
Lives – encourages the public to help us in our efforts by
reminding us that a simple conversation can be all it takes to
interrupt suicidal thoughts. We can all play a vital role
in saving lives and this research will help our efforts to make
the railway safer.”
Today's report also coincides with World Suicide Prevention Day,
as Samaritans calls on the public to take action and show they
care if they think someone is suicidal.
Dave Brown, Head of Rail Programme at Samaritans,
said:
“At Samaritans we welcome research into suicide on the rail as we
know firsthand the devasting impact this can have on those
working across the network. We fully support the need to train
those working in the industry and encourage staff to attend our
Managing Suicidal Contacts and Trauma Support training. Across
the industry we must continue to work together to ensure fewer
people die by suicide on the railway.”
Notes to editors
