A RAILWAY signalman wrestled a suicidal man away from death on a main train track at peak time. Fred Abbott rushed to wrench the distressed man away from trains hurtling past the signal room at speeds of up to 100 mphon Croft Street, Preston. A freight train had been stopped just minutes before the scuffle on the Blackpool/Preston line at teatime.

The 30-year-old dad, from Lancaster, was taken to hospital in his home-town for a psychiatric assessment. His family are said to be shocked at the incident which they had no warning of.

Now Fred, from the Larches, is being hailed a hero by police who are going to write to Railtrack praising his brave actions.

But modest Fred said it's all a sorry part of the job nowadays: "I didn't think twice. This sort of thing happens all the time, especially when exam results come out.

"The man was in grave danger. The trains could have been going at 75mph and would have hit him if I hadn't dragged him away. He was very confused and kept throwing himself back on the track."

Signal manager Bob Sims said he had picked up the pieces after 24 actual suicides in the last seven years.

He said: "It's traumatic for the train driver and railway workers who have to deal with the aftermath and receive counselling."

To report trespassing or vandalism on the railway lines, contact the free-phone hot-line on 0800 405040.

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