Network Rail staff hailed heroes after rescuing woman in snow

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Three Network Rail workers have been hailed as heroes for rescuing a woman and her two dogs after she fell in deep snow.

Joanne Reid, 60, says she feared the worst after falling during her normal dog walk on Monday morning near Insch station. With reports of 23 inches of snow and drifts even higher, she was completely hidden from view and unable to get back on her feet due to mobility issues.

Fortunately, a team of Network Rail colleagues were working to clear the heavy snow from railway lines nearby and heard Mrs Reid shouting for help. Darren Stalker, Stuart Fraser and Allan Rough were able to find her and her dogs lying in the deep drifts and help them to safety.

Mrs Reid said: “I couldn’t get up so I started to crawl towards the field, hoping there was something to help me, but I couldn’t get far. My support dog, Riley, was shaking as he knew something was wrong. My other dog, Rufus, lay down beside me. I was next to the railway, but trees were masking me. I couldn’t see how anyone was going to find me, so I started shouting. Eventually after ten or fifteen minutes, I saw an orange jacket through the trees and the three men appeared.

“The relief was unbelievable. I burst into tears. I really believed that if I hadn’t got somebody soon, the dogs and I could’ve been dead. I was so grateful. It was cold and horrible and they’re out working in this weather. Not only are they helping get the railway back up and running, but they’ve also just rescued somebody. I really do believe they saved my life. They say all heroes don’t wear capes, and that’s exactly what they were. Wearing bright orange safety gear and hard hats. They are my heroes.”

After getting back to their vital work clearing the railway, the team returned later in the day to check on Mrs Reid at home.

Darren Stalker, Stuart Fraser, and Allan Rough said: “We are just glad that the lady and her dogs are home safe and well. The weather was treacherous, so being stuck outside was certainly not ideal for her. We really appreciate all the recognition, but anyone in that situation would have done the same. We were glad we were there to help. Thanks from us all.”

Liam Sumpter, manager director at Network Rail Scotland, said: “I’m incredibly proud of our colleagues whose quick thinking and compassion made such a difference in truly brutal conditions. They were out there working tirelessly to keep the railway running safely yet didn’t hesitate for a second to help someone in real distress. Their actions show the very best of Network Rail. I’d like to give a big thank you to them and all our other teams working hard in such challenging weather.”

Image credit: Network Rail