Nurse, 33, Who Tried to Jump in Front of Train Marries the Driver Who Saved Her Life

Bradford, West Yorkshire—A nurse who had been ready to take her own life found love in a moment of despair when the driver of the train she intended to jump in front of got out to speak to her, ultimately de-escalating the situation and saving her life.

The encounter occurred at Crossflatts Station in Bradford, where Dave knelt in front of Charlotte and engaged her in conversation for over half an hour. Their chat touched on simple, everyday topics, yet it was enough to help Charlotte break through her crisis.

Dave patiently talked with her until she felt comfortable climbing onto the train. He then transported her safely to the next station, where police connected her to local mental health services.

Reflecting on the pivotal encounter, Charlotte said, “From what I can remember, the conversation was just about mundane things and our lives, but it was enough to break the crisis. Life didn’t feel as heavy anymore.” Determined to thank him, she looked him up on Facebook the next day, and their connection blossomed. Dave responded warmly to her gratitude, telling her he was available if she needed to talk, sparking a daily exchange that led to a coffee date after two months. They married Three years later, and Charlotte was 22 weeks pregnant with their first child.

Charlotte had been on her way to work when she almost took her own life (Image: NHS West Yorkshire ICB / SWNS)

Charlotte, who has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, anxiety, PTSD, and emotionally unstable personality disorder, describes her suicide attempt as an “impulsive decision” on her way to work as a nurse. “On the day of my suicide attempt, I don’t know exactly what triggered it,” she shared. “I had my uniform on, fully prepared for work, but something didn’t feel right.” She had already been in distress when, after a conductor checked on her well-being and left, she walked down the tracks and waited.

It remains unclear who raised the alarm, but it stopped at a distance when the next train arrived. Without formal de-escalation training, Dave approached her and introduced himself, creating a calming space. “He said all the things he wished he could’ve said to others before me,” Charlotte recounted, adding, “I once asked him if he’d ever had any de-escalation training because he was brilliant that day. He hadn’t.”

But on that day in 2019, her future husband, Northern train driver Dave Lay, 47, slowed down and got off to speak to her for half an hour. They married when Ms Lay was 22 weeks pregnant with their first child.

Reflecting on the experience, Dave expressed relief when he heard from Charlotte, saying, “I needed to know she was all right. I’d contacted the police to try to find out what happened to her and just wanted to make sure she was safe.”

Now, Charlotte shares her story as a testament to the power of kindness and connection. “I hope that by sharing my story, people will realise that although it would be ideal if we all had specialist training to deal with a mental health crisis, we are all capable of helping by being empathic and present.”