Train driver praised for remarkable act of heroism after leaping to rescue dog hanging off platform

A train driver has been hailed as a hero after leaping into action to rescue a dog hanging off the platform.

The driver, named Ben, rescued the elderly family pet after she plunged into the dangerous gap between a carriage and the platform at Shawford station last Tuesday.

Jack Garrett, from Twyford, was stepping off the 1.54pm service to Southampton Airport Parkway when his 11-year-old black Labrador-ridgeback cross, Lexi, slipped and became stuck.

The owner has since contacted South Western Railway to express his thanks to the quick-thinking driver.

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"He was a hero today," Mr Garrett said, describing how Ben "sprinted and dived" to pull his beloved dog to safety during the terrifying ordeal.

Mr Garrett had been travelling to visit his children when the incident unfolded, holding both Lexi's lead and a bicycle as he attempted to exit the train.

Lexi, whom Mr Garrett has raised since she was a puppy, suddenly fell into the gap and was left dangling precariously.

"I was stunned and in shock... she was hanging on by her lead and collar," Mr Garrett recalled.

With her front paws desperately gripping the platform edge, Lexi was supported only by her own strength and the lead wrapped around her neck, which was slowly coming loose.

Mr Garrett admitted he simply froze in the moment.

Watching helplessly as the lead began slipping from around Lexi's neck, her owner feared the worst.

He added: "The only thing holding her up was me on the lead and her paws on the platform.

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"I was just watching as the lead was pulling away from her neck, then from absolutely nowhere, the driver came in and pulled her to safety."

Ben rushed from his cab and threw himself forward to grab Lexi before she could fall further.

"If he wasn't there and he hadn't got her, she would have been a goner, there's no doubt about it.

"Absolute godsend that he was there."

Mr Garrett, who was only able to learn the driver's first name, has asked SWR to pass on his appreciation for Ben's swift actions.

The father said his five children would have been "absolutely devastated" had Lexi fallen through the gap. "I was so grateful and proud of him for saving our family pet," he said.

Despite using the same route every week, Mr Garrett acknowledged he had never considered the potential dangers of the platform gap.

He has vowed to take far greater care when disembarking with Lexi in future.

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