Call for suicide helpline at Carluke station

Over recent years the Gazette has too often had to report a series of lonely tragedies at Carluke Railway Station involving people from throughout our area.

It has long been this paper’s policy not to report these incidents as suicides but as sudden deaths.

However, it is now common knowledge that Carluke Station’s public access to the West Coast Mainline and the high-speed express trains that use it, has made it a tempting location for those driven to take their own lives.

A recent incident has prompted a Gazette reader to launch a campaign to have a Samaritan ‘11th hour’ phoneline installed at the station. One was placed at Cartland Bridge several years ago after repeated suicides and attempts there.

Asking not to be named, she revealed a very personal interest in the latest tragedy at Carluke.

She said: “These types of accidents are happening too often and the majority of those who die do not mean to do this and hurt their families. These poor souls are broken and in need of support.

“This latest accident has affected me in a way as, earlier this year, I actually stopped this person from stepping in front of a train.

“I have emailed the Carluke Development Trust to ask if they would consider putting up a poster in their board to highlight that there is help by way of the Samaritans and similar bodies. I also contacted ScotRail to ask if they would put up posters for the Samaritans and a phone link to them.

“They have got back to say posters have been put up. This is not enough! What is needed is a phone link to the Samaritans to help.

“I am aware the phone link may not save lives but surely it is worth a try. It is horrible watching someone contemplating taking their life in front of daily commuters.”

A spokewoman for ScotRail said: “We have a dedicated team who work with Samaritans and provide training courses for railway staff in prevention and post-incident support.

“The team has visited Carluke and we are currently looking into putting up additional, larger posters within the station.

“Any further initiatives will be discussed with Samaritans and the station team in due course.”