Man proposes to woman as she drives train into station, in ultimate grand gesture

‘I was expecting something maybe for Christmas, but definitely not like that’

Joanna Whitehead
Wednesday 16 December 2020 10:36 EST
Comments
Man proposes to girlfriend as she pulls into train platform

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

After a turbulent year, heart-warming footage has been shared on social media that shows even Covid can’t kill romance.

Midwife Clodagh Maher filmed the moment Conor O’Sullivan proposed to his train-driver partner Paula Carbó Zea as she pulled a Dart train into Pearse Station in Dublin on Tuesday evening.

“Didn’t think anything could perk me up after a busy 13hr shift, and some gent goes and PROPOSES to his GF driving the incoming train at Pearse Station,” she wrote.

O’Sullivan installed a series of signs along the platform that read ‘Will you marry me’ and stood at the end with a bunch of flowers, a bottle of champagne and the all-important ring.

Staff at the station were in cahoots with O’Sullivan and agreed to play “their song” James Blunt’s ‘You Make Me Better’ over the tannoy as the train pulled in.

Carbó Zea’s colleagues also installed a Go Pro camera in her cab to record her reaction to the magical moment.

While public proposals run the risk of rejection, assembled onlookers were delighted to witness Carbó Zea say yes.

“I was expecting something maybe for Christmas, but definitely not like that,” the bride-to-be told The Irish Times.

“I was so surprised.”

Carbó Zea, who is originally from Barcelona, moved to Ireland three years ago in response to a call from Irish Rail for more train drivers.

A trained engineer, she said she had always wanted to be a train driver, despite it traditionally being a more male-dominated profession.

“In Spain, it is more normal,” she said.

The happy couple met a month after she arrived in Ireland and have been together ever since.

“I wanted to improve my English, then I met him and I have stayed here,” she said.

“I love Ireland, but I wish it would rain less.”

Carbó Zea said she did not anticipate marrying until the summer of 2022.

Irish Rail spokesperson, Barry Kenny, said they were happy to facilitate the surprise proposal.

“It was all arranged last minute yesterday, but arranged very well,” he said.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in