Commendation for station supervisor who tackled attacker

A brave station supervisor who rugby tackled a man that was stabbing another to death, has been commended for his bravery.

On 8 August, father-of-five Wayne Fenton was murdered by Jamie Skinner at Plymouth railway station.

John Phare, 33, a member of Great Western Railway, saw what was happening and, despite the assailant still attacking and holding the knife, tackled Skinner and brought him to the ground.

His incredible actions allowed other people to give first aid to the victim.

Speaking about the incident and on receiving the commendation, Mr Phare said: “Initially I thought it was a terrorist attack, I heard screaming and a taxi driver had ran in telling me that a man had been stabbed. I ran out to see what was happening.

“I could see that the man was being stabbed, I just didn’t think, and I rugby tackled Skinner to the ground.

“At one stage he pointed the knife at me but, I just carried on. I managed to get hold of the knife and threw it to one side.

“Members of the public intervened and began giving first aid too.”

Mr Fenton was taken to hospital where he later died. His killer was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Mr Phare, who has worked with GWR for the past seven years, said: “You never expect to be faced with something like this and I didn't intervene to be acknowledged or recognised. I just wish I could have done more.”

He was commended at the Chief Constable's Commendations yesterday.