One of London North Eastern Railway‘s (LNER) colleagues has been presented with a prestigious life-saving award as a recognition of her bravery and quick thinking after she alerted two workers on the railway track that were in potential danger of being struck by a train.

During the early hours of a February morning earlier this year, Monika Stepien, who works as a Station Customer Service Assistant at Durham Railway Station, noticed two people working on the line south of the station. Major engineering work has recently been carried out in the area, so it wasn’t unusual to see people working on the track. However, to make sure that no trains would be passing through the area Monika thought it best to check that a “block” had been placed on the line.

On checking, Monike found that no line block had been put in place, and furthermore, Monika also saw that a freight train was heading towards the workers. Realising the danger, quick-thinking Monika dashed to the track and warned the team that they were in danger, advising them to jump onto the platform. As the workers had their backs facing the oncoming train, if Monika had not intervened the workers have had much warning of the train’s approach.

In recognition of her quick-thinking and decisive actions, Monika was awarded a LifeSaver Award at this year’s the “rail industry Oscars”, the prestigious National Rail Awards 2023.

On receiving the award, Monika, said: “It was really great to be nominated for this award. Looking out for people and their welfare is something we do every day at work. I am pleased I was able to alert the workers to the potential danger and am honoured to receive this recognition.”

David Horne, Managing Director at LNER, said: “We’re incredibly proud of Monika and this national recognition that her actions had gone above and beyond her everyday duties are richly deserved. Monika’s quick-thinking approach and her insistence that they were in danger undoubtedly helped the rail workers make their way to safety and avoided a tragedy.”