Train crush victim freed by having his leg amputated by paramedic as he lay trapped beneath carriage

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Emergency: Ambulanceman Ray McFadden helped with the operation

The victim would have bled to death if veteran ambulanceman Mark Sheehan had not acted.

He and his crewmate Ray McFadden risked their lives by carrying on working under the 70-ton engine even when the driver moved it forward to shift the wheels off the injured man.

Mark operated to cut through the fleshy part of the victim's leg which because his foot was trapped under the wheel.

The right leg was totally severed in the initial accident and the train's wheels cut through the bone of the left leg but not the muscle.

Ray knelt by the track and gave the patient morphine and oxygen as Mark worked under the train itself for almost an hour.

The 26-year-old local man remained calm and conscious throughout the 55 minute rescue and was lifted back onto the platform with the help of four more paramedics and two fire crews.

The passenger was waiting on Platform Four at Plymouth station in Devon when he fell as the 7.34 pm London to Penzance train was pulling in.

British Transport Police say they are investigating the accident as a potential suicide attempt and will question the man about it when he is well enough to talk.

Westcountry Ambulance Service spokeswoman Lynne Paramor said: "It was a truly amazing rescue in which our lads were able to deliver in very difficult and dangerous conditions.

"The crew were there within a minute of the call and Mark clambered under the train to help the man.

"The right leg was severed and the left leg was cut through the bone but was not fully severed and the man was trapped by it.

"We carry all sorts of equipment in the ambulance including specialist tourniquets and scalpels.

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The unnamed man was taken to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth where a surgical team was ready to operate

"Mark used a scalpel to amputate the leg to free him. He had to work under the train and very quickly because it was a life or death situation.

"The bone had been cut through by the train but the lower part of the leg and foot were hanging on.

"The patient would have been dead if we had not got him out from under the train and to hospital for emergency treatment.

"At one point the driver had to move the train forward a few inches to help free the patient and mark and Ray carried on working underneath it.

"It was very difficult for them, especially at that point because of the noise and dust from the engine.

"They risked their own lives by working under the engine as it was moving and successfully severed the other leg.

"Ray lay down on the track with the patient and gave him morphine and oxygen and talked to him to keep him calm.

"The man was conscious and breathing throughout and remained very calm, possible because he was in shock.

"The patient was kept as comfortable as we could make him and there was not a very great loss of blood despite the extent of his injuries.

Mystery: The victim fell from this platform beneath a train

"We have no idea if he fell or jumped but the Transport Police will be carrying out the inquiry into that.

"The platform was cleared so we did not have to do it with a public audience. We sent other crews in case there were other passengers in shock because it was pretty horrific.

"Our team gave him the best possible chance of survival and Mark and Ray will be put forward for commendations for their work.

"They were given the opportunity of going home after their experience but chose to carry on with their shift and worked through the night." Miss Paramor said Dr Tony Golding-Cook gave emergency treatment but arrived after the paramedics had already carried out the amputation.

Witness Maurice Hocking, aged 63, said he arrived on the platform to pick up his daughter moments after the accident.

He said: "I did not see how the man got underneath the train but there was one lady there who was quite distressed so I think she must have seen it.

"We came away and left it to the emergency services to sort out. The ambulance crew were there very quickly and took charge."

A spokesman for British Transport police said: "We are investigating this as a case of attempted suicide.

"The incident happened at 7.34 pm when a 26-year-old man from Plymouth jumped in front of the 1605 Paddington to Penzance First Great Western service.

"He was freed and taken to Derriford Hospital at around 8.30 pm where he underwent further surgery.

"We understand his condition is not life threatening although he has lost both feet."

A spokesman for First Great Western trains said: "There was some disturbance for passengers but they were all taken off and the end of the platform was cordoned off.

"There was no debris on the platform itself and we hope passengers did not see what happened and have not been traumatised by it.

"They were transferred to other trains to complete their journeys on a Virgin Cross Country service 30 minutes later and our own train 50 minutes later.

"We can confirm the driver did move the train slightly at the request of the rescue services on the scene."

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