A BRADFORD railway worker has been honoured with a prestigious bravery award for preventing a man's suicide attempt at the city's Interchange station.

Karl Richardson, who lives in the city centre, was working on the automatic ticket gates during an afternoon rush-hour shift when he was alerted to a man threatening to jump from a bridge overlooking the tracks.

He managed to talk to the man and grab him before he was able to jump, actions which have now seen him named as a global winner in the 'Heart' category of the Serco Pulse Awards.

Describing the incident which took place in November 2013, Mr Richardson said: "I ran up the platform and saw a guy hanging over the edge from the car park, so I shouted up 'don't do anything yet, please will you just talk to me?"

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"There was a train coming in, so I went through the procedure of stopping that by talking to my supervisor and the signalman, and cleared people away from the scene.

"I ran up and asked the man if he would have a cigarette with me.

"He was leaning over the edge, so I grabbed him and dragged him back on to the ground.

"I talked to him to ask what was wrong, and he said he had lost a lot of money with online gambling.

"I asked whether he had children, and we spoke about how he needed to be a father figure to them.

"I said there were people who could help him, and that nothing was worth doing that for."

A few days later, Mr Richardson said the man he had saved came back to the Interchange with his wife.

"He shook my hand, and his wife gave me a hug, and they both just said thank you," he said.

"I didn't expect the awards at all, but my supervisor wrote in and it just escalated from there.

"I've saved people a few times, rugby-tackling people on the platform and jumping on the tracks, and I would do the same thing again.

"I just enjoy helping people, and will always do anything I can. That's just me."

Mr Richardson works for Northern Rail, a joint venture between Serco and Abellio, and the Pulse Awards recognise individuals who show passion and make a positive impact in their work.

As a result of his bravery, he is now part of the national suicide committee for Network Rail, helping to make the network a safer place.

Alex Hynes, managing director for Northern, said: "Thanks to Karl’s selfless acts, the gentleman and his family have a bright future.

"Karl has shared his experience with the Samaritans team, and is taking part in a national programme for fatality reduction, which is such an important programme for our lives on the railway.

"I'd like to say well done Karl, you are a true hero."