Six teenagers who helped prevent a suicidal young man from stepping in front of a train have received awards for their actions.

The quick-thinking group were nominated by KentOnline's sister paper the Kentish Gazette for a Kent County Council Try Angle Award, after the paper broke news of their bravery.

The group had been waiting for a train in Herne Bay on the evening of October 24, when they noticed an 18-year-old on the opposite side of the tracks, standing close to the platform’s edge.

Realising he was in distress, the teens rushed to his aid.

As a train approached he reportedly made a bid to jump into its path. But all six teens threw themselves on him, fighting to restrain him until the train had passed.

The young man’s mum later expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the group.

“We’re immensely thankful to the young people who were there,” she said. “They saved his life.”

She added that her son is seeking help for ongoing mental health problems

The Gazette tracked down all six of the friends, who were aged 15 to 17 at the time.

They are: Canterbury College student Tia Hancock; Herne Bay High School pupils Madison Kendall and Eleanor Wood; Chloe Skinsley, who attends Broadstairs College; and Jack Williams and Kyle Pattison, both Sheppey College students from Sheerness.

The paper nominated them under the Positive Intervention category of the Try Angle Awards - an annual scheme run by Kent County Council, recognising the outstanding efforts and achievements of young people across Kent.

This month, they were named winners at a special virtual awards ceremony.

All entries were judged by a group of young people who attend the Quarterdeck Youth Centre in Thanet.

They commented that the group’s actions were “amazingly brave” and “quick-thinking”.

The group have been further recognised for their outstanding act of bravery and compassion by winning the Canterbury District Spirit Award.

Spokesman Dawn Ledingham said: “The Spirit is judged by our Kent Youth Council so it is a real achievement to win this award.

“The Canterbury District had fine examples of courage, empathy and tenacity across all the categories.

“All the young people should be congratulated for their amazing efforts as they are a real credit to our district and county as a whole."

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