TWO schoolboys, who risked their lives to save a suicidal woman at Romsey Station, have been honoured by the police.

Mackenzie Melling and Maciej Andrzejewski went onto the tracks and talked the unnamed woman out of taking her own life.

Both have now been commended for their quick thinking and bravery by British Transport Police’s chief constable, Andrew Trotter.

He presented the two 14-year-olds with a framed certificate in recognition of their actions.

Mr Trotter said: “This event is one of the highlights of my year. It is an opportunity to award people who have demonstrated bravery, assisted in the preservation of life, or provided an outstanding commitment to BTP’s values.

“I felt proud to honour these individuals for making a difference by going above and beyond their call of duty or reflecting the best of human nature.”

When Mackenzie and Maciej, both pupils at Romsey School, spotted the woman at the station on January 12, when she appeared in a desperate and distressed state and they went to talk to her.

She told the teenagers that she wanted to end in all and seconds later walked on to the tracks.

Mackenzie, who lives in Romsey, had gone to station to see off his mate, Maciej who was waiting for a train back to his home in Southampton.

Mackenzie’s mum, Chantelle, said: “Realising that she was serious about what she was going to do, they knew they had to help as no- one else on the platform wanted to.”

The boys went onto the tracks to try to persuade the woman to get back on the platform as a passenger train was due any minute.

Mrs Melling added: “Maciej stayed on the tracks with the female while my son came back onto the platform to try and calm down other people who were watching. People on the platform were shouting at them to leave her alone.”

As the teenagers ushered the woman back onto the platform, she made a break for it and headed for the tracks again, but Mackenzie and Maciej stopped her and tried once more to talk her round. Mackenzie then phoned the police and both chatted and tried to comfort the woman until officers arrived.

“We knew we had to do something to help this lady, even though it was scary. I guess it felt like my duty as a citizen,” said Mackenzie.

A modest Maciej said: “When you see someone in so much distress, you have to act. I just did what was necessary.” Mackenzie’s proud mum, said: “We are very proud of the boys’ actions on that day. They both are fully aware that they must never go on the railway track, but on this day they showed their true bravery and maturity by protecting the female from ending her life not once but twice. A bad name is always given to the youth of today, but as adults stood and watched these two young lads prevented a life from being lost that day.”

Maciej’s mother, Marzena, said: Knowing that my son saved somebody’s life is an extraordinary feeling. I am truly proud of him.”