NEW figures have shown a 43 per cent rise in the times the public have stopped a suicide along the West Coast Main Line.

The data follows the launch of Small Talk Saves Lives by the Samaritans - in partnership with British Transport Police (BTP), Network Rail and the wider rail industry late last year.

Between January and September this year, there were 30 interventions on the route, compared with 17 over the same period in 2017.

Nationally, there was a 20 per cent rise, with about one in ten life-saving interventions made by the public.

The figures coincide with the launch of the new phrase of ‘Small Talk Saves Lives’, which emphasises how each of us has all the experience we need to help save a life.

If we notice someone who may be at risk, the same small talk we use every day is enough to interrupt someone’s suicidal thoughts and encourage them to get help.

In a new campaign video and special station announcements voiced by TV presenter Gaby Roslin, rail passengers are urged to trust their instincts and start a conversation.

She’s backing Small Talk Saves Lives after stopping to talk to someone in a park when she noticed something wasn’t right.

Gaby said: “The little conversations we have every day can be all that’s needed to interrupt suicidal thoughts.

“Once you know you have the power to make a difference, you’re more likely to step in and do something.

“I wanted to get involved in the Small Talk Saves Lives campaign after noticing someone in a park and trusting my instincts. Just a few words can have a huge impact.”

Small Talk Saves Lives was developed after research showed passengers could have a key role to play in suicide prevention, along with the thousands of rail staff and British Transport Police now trained by Samaritans.

According to the research, for every life lost on the railway, six are saved by those around them.

Samaritans CEO Ruth Sutherland said: “Suicide is preventable and any one of us could have an opportunity to save a life. And a study shows some of us make small talk more than ten times a day.

“A phrase as simple as, ‘I can’t believe this weather’, could be enough to interrupt a person’s suicidal thoughts.

“Even if small talk doesn’t come naturally to you, if something doesn’t feel right, please try to start a conversation. There’s no evidence you’ll make things worse.”

The campaign encourages rail passengers to notice possible warning signs, e.g. a person standing alone and isolated, staying on the platform a long time without boarding a train or displaying something out of the ordinary in their behaviour or appearance.

Samaritans volunteers will be out in force at stations across the UK to help promote the campaign.