Hungerford woman pulled from the path of oncoming train

Sheila Dobson has told of her ordeal after she was rescued by members of the public as she lay unconscious on the tracks

A HUNGERFORD woman has told of her ordeal after she collapsed in the path of an oncoming train.

Seventy-six-year-old Sheila Dobson, of De Mountford Grove, was rescued from certain death by members of the public who thankfully spotted her as she lay, unconscious, on the tracks.

Mrs Dobson was on her way to see friends in London on Thursday, July 21, when she fell onto the town rail crossing as the warning signal started.

She was knocked unconscious and sustained concussion, injured ribs, a split lip and painful bruising to her hip and leg.

But fortunately she was spotted, lying helpless, by shoppers or staff at the rear of Tesco who ran over and pulled her to safety before the train arrived.

Then, she said, a lady from Hungerford Service Centre brought her a chair and the centre owner brought towels to mop up the blood and called an ambulance.

A passing motorist offered the use of a first aid kit and a man from Quality Service drove her car home for her.

Mrs Dobson, who is recovering but still shaken from her ordeal, said: “I just can't thank all those wonderful people enough. I can't help but contrast what happened with the time I was in Blackfriars, London, and had a fall. People just ignored me and carried on their way and some even stepped over me as a I lay there.

“We're very lucky to live in a town that has such fantastic, caring people in it.”

See the letters page in this week's Newbury Weekly News for Mrs Dobson's letter of thanks.