Extraordinary moment hero commuter leaps onto Tube tracks to rescue stranger who fell in front of train

Hero: the man, circled, sprung into action after seeing a stranger fall onto the tracks
Tom Powell17 August 2016

This is the extraordinary moment a heroic commuter saved a stranger's life by jumping onto Tube tracks and pulling him to safety.

The amazing act of bravery happened after a 47-year-old man fell ill at Tottenham Court Road station during Tuesday's rush hour.

After stumbling across the platform, the man fell onto the live track in front of shocked onlookers as a train approached.

But one bystander took matters into his own hands, risking his own life by leaping down to the tracks and pulling the man to safety.

The man, in a hard hat, is seen before falling onto the tracks

Paramedics, including Air Ambulance staff, treated the man at the scene for a chest injury. He was taken to hospital but is expected to make a full recovery.

Hero: the man, circled, sprung into action after seeing a stranger fall onto the tracks (bottom)

The British Transport Police are now appealing to the bystander to come forward so they can thank him for his efforts. He was wearing a black t-shirt and black jeans.

Tube fall: The bystander is seen climbing down onto the tracks

Superintendent Chris Horton said: “Going onto the tracks is extremely dangerous but the bravery of this man has to be praised.

A man jumps onto the tracks and can be seen pulling the worker to safety

“The man sprung to the rescue and hauled him back onto the platform, whilst other commuters alerted the emergency services.

“Whilst the approaching train was immediately put on a red signal, the quick thinking of him and other passengers on the platform avoided what could have been a tragedy.

“On behalf of everyone at British Transport Police, I’d like to commend this man for his brave actions – his quick thinking most likely saved the man’s life.”

The Air Ambulance was spotted landing outside the British Museum after receiving reports of a person on the tracks at the station at 5:02pm.

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We sent an Incident Response Officer, a Single Responder in a car, an ambulance crew and London’s Air Ambulance to the scene.

“We treated one patient, a man, for a chest injury, he was taken to hospital as a priority.”

Do you know the men involved? If so, contact the news desk on news@standard.co.uk or call 020 36152500.

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