RAIL workers have been praised for going the extra mile.

Staff at c2c, which runs the Shoebury to London Fenchurch Street line, were big winners at this year's global National Express Values Awards.

Ticket office worker Donna Ilet-Vidhi, who splits her time between various stations, including Basildon and Pitsea, was presented with the Chief Executive’s Award for staying cool, calm and considerate when dealing with a fatal incident.

She was helping a disabled passenger when she became aware that a high-speed train passing through the station had struck and killed a person.

She calmly evacuated the station, as she has been taught in training.

Ms Ilet-Vidhi said: "I couldn’t believe it when it was announced that I had won the Chief Executive’s Award and to be honest I was just happy to have been nominated by my fellow colleagues. The incident at the station was very sad and I’m just glad that my training kicked in and I was able to deal with it in a calm and professional manner."

Colleagues Jackie Duckworth and Titi Adeyemo, who also work at various stations across south Essex, were presented with a Highly Commended gong for their actions.

After spotting a man in a suicidal state, they sprung into action.

The pair supported the man, while ensuring all trains were stopped from passing through the station while they waited for police to arrive.

Over 140 people, working in many different locations across the UK, Germany, Bahrain, Spain, Morocco, North Africa and North America gathered to celebrate both individual and team success at the London finals of the National Express awards, which took place at the Bloomsbury Ballroom.

The awards programme was set up in 2012 to celebrate workers who go above and beyond.

Julian Drury, c2c managing director, said: “It’s great to see the winners being officially recognised by public transport professionals across the world. I was thrilled they did so well and we at c2c are massively proud of them all.”