A train worker has been hailed a hero after rescuing a lost dog that fell onto the train tracks and couldn't get back up. Ticket gateline assistant Paul Hawthorn, 56, from Luton, was working his usual shift at Leagrave Station on Monday morning when the pup suddenly leapt down and got stuck.
Panic struck among spectators as the pooch frantically raced up and down the tracks, trying to find a way out. Thankfully, Paul acted fast and saved the beloved dog from a horrific death - with the help of a croissant. The courageous moment soon went viral on TikTok and thousands of animal lovers worldwide have praised his brave efforts.
It was around 7am on Monday morning when Paul was alerted to a Staffordshire bull terrier running around Platform 1 without a collar.
Paul hurried down and got hold of the "young and very excitable" pup, but it managed to wriggle free out of his grasp.
He said: "Then my worst fear was realised as it jumped down on the tracks. I was thinking 'What should I do?' and then my training kicked in.
"I rang the signalman to caution the trains, getting them to slow down ready to stop if necessary.
"I'm not allowed to go down on the track but the guy from the coffee kiosk on the platform there had some croissant and enticed the dog over to the platform edge.
"It couldn't jump back up but as it put its paws up to get the croissant I managed to grab it and haul it up on to the platform.
"I couldn't let go - it would have wriggled free again - so I just held on and two people came along and hauled me up to my feet."
Paul then took the dog into the safety of the staffroom and shared a picture on social media to try and identify its owner.
Within two hours, the pet's worried parents arrived at Leagrave Station and explained the pup had done a runner.
"The lady was crying, she was so grateful. Apparently a garage door had been left open and the dog had escaped," Paul said.
"It was quite traumatic at the time. I don't own a dog but we help people out by dog sitting and I just felt sorry for the dog - I thought oh my God, it's going to get run over by a train.
"It worked out all right in the end - it was a relief."
Thameslink's customer services director, Jenny Saunders, said: "Paul's a real Thameslink hero. The railway tracks are a dangerous place and his quick-thinking certainly saved this dog's life."
The TikTok video shared by @getinthebarth has racked up more than five million views, with thousands of people commenting their praises.
Gary Walsh, director for Network Rail's East Midlands route, told the Mirror : "We have fantastic people working on the railway, and we're delighted that this story had a happy ending.
"If you are travelling with a dog, you should always keep it on a lead and, if your dog escapes your control and runs onto the railway, don't be tempted to run after it. Instead, you should inform a railway worker."
Do you have a dog story to share? Email nia.dalton@reachplc.com.
