Mark Wray came to the aid of a young woman and is now in for a national award, having already been named a regional “Taxi Hero”
Mark Wray rescued his passenger who was in the River Humber when he arrived to pick her up(Image: ACORN Group / Roth Read Photography)
A Hull taxi driver went above and beyond his job description when he rescued his would-be passenger from the Humber. Mark Wray helped reunite the woman with her family and kept her warm in his taxi until help arrived.
Mark was waiting to collect a passenger early one morning when he noticed something unusual in the water. Looking more closely, he realised a young woman was in the Humber and that she was the passenger he had been waiting to collect.
He managed to reach the woman and bring her to safety, before helping her into his vehicle. Mark stayed with the woman, contacted her mother and drove her home, reuniting the family after what could have been a tragic incident.
Mark has been named the Yorkshire and The Humber regional winner of the Acorn Taxi Hero Award. Competing against over 1,700 nominees nationally, Mark was recognised for his quick thinking and compassion after spotting the young woman in the water while waiting to collect a passenger, potentially saving her life. Mark said he is “really proud to represent Hull with the award”.
Acorn Insurance, the UK’s largest taxi insurance specialist, launched the awards to celebrate the unsung heroes of Britain’s taxi industry – drivers who demonstrate exceptional acts of bravery, kindness and dedication for their passengers and communities, often without receiving the recognition they deserve.
The nomination described how Mark had gone far beyond what could reasonably be expected of a taxi driver, stepping in to help a complete stranger when she needed it most. As the nomination put it: “He didn’t know this young woman. He didn’t know her story. He didn’t know what would happen next. He simply saw someone who needed help and chose to do something.” It added that Mark had started his shift expecting to earn a fare, but ended it having potentially saved a life instead.
Mark said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been named the Yorkshire and The Humber Taxi Hero. I was just waiting to pick up a passenger when I noticed something in the river. When I looked towards the river, I realised the person in the water was actually the passenger I’d been waiting to pick up, and I knew I had to do something. At the time, my only concern was getting her somewhere safe and making sure she had the support she needed. Thankfully, I was able to get her home safely and reunite her with her family.
“It means a great deal to receive this recognition. I’m really proud to represent Hull and I’m looking forward to the national winner being announced. Whatever happens, it’s fantastic to see taxi drivers getting this kind of recognition.”
Ash Coakley, head of taxi insurance at Acorn Group, said: “Taxi drivers are often at the heart of their communities, and Mark’s actions are an extraordinary example of the difference they can make beyond their day-to-day work. What began as a routine passenger collection turned into a situation where Mark’s quick thinking, compassion and willingness to act may well have saved a young woman’s life. Not only did he bring her to safety, but he stayed with her, offered reassurance and made sure she was reunited with her family.
“Mark’s story is a powerful reminder that taxi drivers can find themselves helping people at their most vulnerable. He’s a thoroughly deserving Yorkshire and The Humber Taxi Hero and exactly the kind of person these awards were created to recognise.”
The winners were selected by a judging panel drawn from the taxi and insurance sectors. Mark is in the running for the national title, with the overall winner set to receive a £1,000 Amazon gift card and the inaugural Britain’s Taxi Hero trophy. The national winner will be announced on Wednesday, November 11.
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