- Freddie Corbett, 15 and Harley Hollingworth, 16, pulled the man to safety
- For help, call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
Two teenage boys have been hailed as heroes after jumping onto rail tracks as a train hurtled towards them to stop a man from killing himself.
Freddie Corbett, 15 and Harley Hollingworth, 16, pulled the man to safety after he leapt onto the tracks at Bolton upon Dearne station in South Yorkshire.
The friends had been waiting for the last train home on Saturday night when they spotted the man in a sleeping bag on the platform.
He then got up and went onto the tracks saying ‘I’m going to kill myself tonight’, to which Freddie responded: ‘You’re not doing that mate’.
Despite the risk to their own lives as they saw the train approach, the boys both got onto the track and saved the man, with Freddie describing the act of bravery as ‘just natural instinct’.
Freddie Corbett, 15 and Harley Hollingworth, 16, pulled the man to safety on Saturday night
‘My grandma said later; ‘you stupid idiot you could have got squashed’, Freddie told The Mirror, ‘But my parents are proud. I hope he gets some help now.’
Harley said: ‘I wasn’t worried about the train, just wanted to make sure Freddie got him off the tracks.’
The boys said the train’s headlights were visible and Freddie estimated that it pulled into the station just 45 seconds after they got off the tracks.
Both boys’ parents said they were proud of their bravery and quick-thinking.
Harley’s dad Dale Hollingworth, 39, said: ‘He’s just a typical grumpy teenager but clearly you can see he has a heart of gold… I’m still overwhelmed to be honest.’
Gary Robinson of Network Rail said the pair undoubtedly saved the man’s life, and paid tribute to them on social media.
‘Called out tonight to a male with intent to self harm on the railway… these two lads were his angels.
The boys said the train’s headlights were visible and Freddie estimated that it pulled into the station just 45 seconds after they got off the tracks (file image)
‘Dragged him off the railway… sat with him talking till I got there and make no mistakes saved his life!
‘Kids get a bad press but with humanity like those lads shown tonight we are in safe hands!
These two lads are a credit to their parents and I can’t speak highly enough about them. If you see them buy them a J20 (not old enough for pints yet).’
He went on to point to the Samaritans helpline: ‘Anyone feeling like things are getting too much please call 116 123 where someone will listen without judgement. Small Talk saves lives.’
For help, call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org