Rail traveller gets surprise proposal at Euston station

Euston station was the unlikely venue for a romantic proposal as a long-distance couple got engaged at one of the UK’s busiest interchanges.

With commuters going about their business around them, Nirmal Chohan, who lives in London, got down on one knee in front of the departure boards as his girlfriend Vidya Patel arrived at the station on a visit from her home in Birmingham.

As a long-distance couple, it is a spot where the pair have met up dozens of times over the years since they first met in 2014.

Staff from Network Rail and Avanti West Coast helped with the arrangements (Avanti West Coast)

“The railway has played a big role in our relationship,” Mr Chohan, 27, said.

“The trains and Euston station collectively made the distance in our relationship less of an obstacle, and more a warm, homely location where I knew I’d always get to see her again.

“Euston holds a lot of positive experiences, at times it felt like a Bollywood movie, with the hustle and bustle of people, trains left, right, and centre, and then me trying to woo the love of my life.”

Family members were there to celebrate with the couple (Avanti West Coast/PA)

As Mr Chohan proposed, one of the station boards above him displayed the words: “Vidya Patel, will you marry me?”

And after Ms Patel, 26, said yes, the board displayed a message of congratulations to the couple.

Family members of both Mr Chohan and Ms Patel were also present to witness the occasion, unbeknownst to the bride-to-be.

Mr Chohan said: “It has been a dream planning this surprise.

“For the proposal to happen under such circumstances, with both families present, is truly special.

Nirmal Chohan compared the hustle and bustle of Euston to a Bollywood movie (Avanti West Coast)

“None of this would have been possible without their help, and that of Avanti West Coast and Network Rail, so I’ll always be grateful for this.”

Kathrin Pranga-Wells, Avanti West Coast lead station manager at London Euston, said: “When we heard Nirmal’s plans to propose at Euston, we were keen to make it a memorable occasion.

“It has been exciting to play our part in this special surprise and give a nod to the railway that has connected the couple for years – we loved seeing the joy and excitement on everyone’s faces!

“We wish Nirmal and Vidya a happy engagement and all the best for their life together.”