A Northern train driver has opened up about the night nurse Charlotte Lay decided not to end her life by the tracks thanks to his intervention. Dave, 47, had never had the chance to speak to someone in crisis before, but he “kneeled down” in front of Charlotte, then 33, and introduced himself, promising to talk until she felt comfortable enough to get on the train. The pair spoke for half an hour, after which Charlotte agreed to board the train and was taken to safety. The following day she issued an appeal on Facebook to find the driver, Dave, so she could thank him. Once in contact, their communication continued until they met for a coffee and the pair were married in 2022.
Charlotte hailed Dave as the reason she is alive today and continues to receive help for her mental health. The pair hope their story will encourage others to ask for and offer help and support when needed. Charlotte suggests it’s often too difficult for people who are struggling to reach out; instead, those around them should “reach in” and support them.
Unfortunately, there was one more twist to their story when Dave was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2020 after going to his GP with a bad back. He credits Charlotte with saving his life, being adamant he would not have gone to the doctor without her insistence. He received the all-clear after treatment. The couple decided to share their story to inspire others who may be going through similar challenges to keep fighting and look forward to better days
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