A railway guard was crucial to ensuring passenger safety after a driver suffered a severe electric shock, an accident report revealed yesterday.

Union reps said the revelation should serve as a wake-up call to bosses amid attempts to axe guards and introduce driver-only operation.

A Virgin Trains driver on a stretch of track between Crewe and Liverpool spotted a damaged overhead electricity cable and alerted local signalmen before stopping the train. 

Shortly after, he suffered a severe electric shock.

The guard, who suspected something was wrong when the train screeched to a halt, rushed to the cab and raised the alarm.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “It is crystal clear that it was the presence of mind, the experience and the training of the on-board manager that helped avoid what had the potential to be a major tragedy.

“Those pushing the case for axing guards, conductors and other members of the train crew should take a look at this incident and the reports and admit that they have got it wrong.”