A SOCIAL worker from Colwyn Bay who put his life in danger to drag a teenager out of the path of a moving train has been honoured as being among the UK’s “bravest of the brave.”
Kyle Dovey, 29, of Old Colwyn, received a Royal Humane Society (RHS) silver medal at a ceremony in London on May 24.
His award was personally approved by Princess Alexandra, president of the RHS.
On April 3, 2022, Kyle found himself seconds away from death himself as he fought to drag the girl out of the path of the train at Colwyn Bay railway station.
The girl was in social care and had been drinking alcohol in her room with friends.
Kyle at the awards ceremony with his new born son (Image: Kyle Dovey)
Kyle had asked the friends to leave the accommodation, but the intoxicated girl left as well, and headed for the railway station.
He followed her, trying to persuade her to return to her accommodation, but she refused.
When she reached the station, she sat down on the edge of the platform with her legs dangling over the side, before jumping down on to the tracks.
At the time, Kyle was on the phone to police asking them to get trains on the line stopped.
But as he was talking to police, he heard someone shout from another platform that a train was coming.
With no thought for his own safety, he immediately jumped on to the track himself, grabbed the girl and, while holding her, started to climb back on to the platform.
But while he was still trying to pull her on to the platform, the train passed, hitting her legs.
Despite being badly injured, the girl survived following hospital treatment.
Kyle said: “I just wanted to make sure she was safe. I couldn’t judge the speed of the train or the size of it.
“I could see that the young person was not going to be able to move and that I would need to move her as quickly as possible.
“When I was down on the track, I remember how close the train was and how I couldn’t look back again down the tracks, as I really felt it was going to be too late for either of us to make it back up onto the platform.
“I kept hold of the young person, while trying to pull us both up off the track but the train hit her legs. I had to keep hold of her so that she wasn’t taken with the train.”
The awards took place at the RHS’ Annual Court at London’s Haberdasher’s Hall.
British Transport Police (BTP) recommended Kyle for the award, after there appeared to be no doubt that his intervention, which “put his own life in grave danger”, saved the girl.
Kyle with John Grandy at the awards ceremony (Image: Kyle Dovey)
He attended with his partner, Stephanie, and his young son.
Kyle added: “I felt overwhelmed receiving the award. It was a surreal but special moment after what has been an extremely difficult year, dealing with the impact of being involved in such an incident.
“Hearing the other brave stories from the other recipients of the other awards on the day was extremely special. Having my new born son with me made it feel extremely special.
“The RHS have been unbelievable with me and pulled out all the stops to make the day as special as possible for everyone who attended.
“I feel extremely humbled to have been recognised by BTP, who nominated me for this award.
“I’m extremely grateful to partner Stephanie, my family, friends, and Wrexham and Denbighshire social care management, who have supported me following this incident.
Andrew Chapman, secretary of the RHS, said: “He didn’t hesitate to put himself in imminent danger of a horrific death in order to save the girl.
“He was a true hero. Very few of our silver medals are awarded, but no-one could deserve one more than he does.”
The RHS is the premier national body for honouring bravery in the saving of human life.
It was founded in 1774 by two of the day's eminent medical men, William Hawes and Thomas Cogan, whose primary motive was to promote techniques of resuscitation.
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