Victoria Sweeney, 40, from Bermondsey, and Lauren Forrestal, 34, from Chatham, worked together to save the life of their colleague Paul Osborne, during the first lockdown in 2020. Victoria, who was shielding at the time, received a jumbled text from Paul saying he thought he’d suffered a stroke. Victoria checked to see if he had made it to work and when she discovered he hadn’t, Lauren was called as she lived near to Paul.
Lauren leapt into action, calling an ambulance and heading straight to Paul’s home. She made it there before the paramedics so took him to Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury where she was advised that thanks to her swift response, he would recover. Although Victoria couldn’t be there in person, she kept in touch with Lauren throughout the day to help with whatever tasks she could.
Both women are Revenue Protection officers for Southeastern based at London Bridge station. They were nominated for the Outstanding Personal Contribution award which recognises railway men and women in any front-line role who have performed above and beyond the call of duty, to significant effect. It was presented at the National Rail Awards, which were held at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London.
Steve Clements, Revenue Protection Manager at Southeastern, said: “If Lauren and Victoria hadn’t acted so quickly and got to him when they did, Paul’s prognosis may not have been good – they saved his life. Their compassion and support during a colleague’s time of need is commendable, and what the railway family is all about.”
Both Victoria and Lauren continued to support each other and Paul throughout his hospital stay, as well as with medical appointments and everyday necessities for many months afterwards.
Picture caption (L-R): Southeastern’s Lauren Forrestal and Victoria Sweeney won the ‘Lifesaver’ award in the Outstanding Personal Contribution category at the National Rail Awards.
