Fire crews were first on hand with emergency medical assistance after a diabetic man suffered an attack while stranded on a train.

Retained firefighters from Paddock Wood and Marden have been praised for their actions after rescuing 17 rail passengers and staff trapped by the severe weather.

Emergency Control Room operators received a call to reports of a 35 year old diabetic man suffering from a hypoglycaemic attack, was trapped on a passenger train near Paddock Wood train station, Beltring Road just after 8.30pm on Wednesday.

Retained firefighters from Paddock Wood, who also respond to medical emergencies under the Co-Responding scheme that South East Coast Ambulance Trust operates, were sent to the scene along with a fire engine from Marden.

At the scene, fire crews were met with a train that had lost power and was stranded on the lines due to the severe snow.

A total of 16 passengers and staff, along with the man suffering from a hypoglycaemic attack, were trapped on board.

Fire crews liaised with Network Rail operators in an attempt to move the train to a safer position and, after ensuring that power to the tracks had been isolated, began safely evacuating the train, treating and carrying the diabetic casualty to safety. All passengers and staff were rescued by 10pm.

Director of Operations Steve Demetriou said: “While attending fires and road traffic collisions is part of our statutory duties, we do so much more to provide a safety net when things go wrong, including rescues from the snow, rescues from height, flooding and a wide range of other specialist rescue responses.

"However, we don’t often rescue passengers, especially ones with a serious medical condition, who are trapped on a train in the middle of a severe snow storm, as was the case last night.

“Firefighters and control room staff don't do their job for praise or recognition, but when they carry out actions that are considered above and beyond it is important to congratulate them on a job well done. I am very proud of the fire crews work, their excellent response and quick decision making ensured a swift and safe rescue of the trapped passengers and staff. Without their actions the outcome could have been far more serious.”