Courageous man hailed as hero after 'saving life' of man

Met Police constable Dan Burdett was off-duty when he courageously leapt into action after spotting a man seriously injured and laying on the tracks at Prittlewell train station.

Without hesitation, Dan jumped onto the train tracks to give the man emergency medical attention.

He used the man’s shoelace, and an old pen to apply pressure to the man’s leg and stem the almost uncontrollable bleeding.

According to Essex Freemasons, of which Dan is a member, the hospital said the man “would have certainly died” without his quick-thinking actions.

A spokesman for Essex Freemasons said: “Two other people were calling the emergency services.

“Dan gave clear instructions to them to get the next train stopped, which he knew was due in just a few minutes, and to check on the welfare of the driver of the stationary train.

“Seeing the severity of the injuries the man had clearly been hit by the train and needed emergency action to save his life.

“So, with a complete disregard for his own personal safety and not knowing if the oncoming train would be stopped in time, Dan jumped onto the train track and used the man’s left trainer shoelace and, using an old pen, fabricated a tourniquet to stem the severely bleeding leg that had been severed in the collision with the train.

“Dan then monitored the man’s vitals and reduced the bleeding from the man’s head until paramedics arrived and remained to assist with the critical medical care of the man.”

“After being taken to the Royal London Hospital, the doctors said that had it not been for Dan’s resourcefulness he would have certainly died at the train station.”

Dan is the senior deacon of Prittlewell Lodge which meets at Saxon Hall, the Southend Masonic Centre.

The Lodge Secretary, Jim Wolfe, added: “Dan is an active Essex Mason and always willing to support everything we do for the community. His personal courage, rapid actions and decisive leadership should be an inspiration to all.”