A railway official in Maharashtra is being hailed a hero for saving the life of a boy who fell on the tracks – right in the way of an oncoming train. CCTV footage that has been widely circulated online shows Mayur Shelke running towards the child and hauling him out of the train’s way in the nick of time. 

The CCTV footage was shared on Twitter yesterday by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who praised Mr Shelke’s “exceptionally courageous act” in risking his own life to save the child. In the footage, the child is seen losing his balance on the edge of a deserted platform and falling onto the tracks. Right then, railway pointsman Mayur Shelke is seen running towards the child. He manages to reach the child and rescues him just as the train pulls into the platform.                                                                                                                                              According to news agency ANI, the incident occurred at platform Two of Vangani Railway Station on April 17. 

The Ministry of Railways shared a clip which shows the staff and DRM of Central Railway’s Mumbai Division applauding Mr Shelke. He was also felicitated for his courageous act by the Central Railway.

Speaking to ANI, Mr Shelke said that the child was accompanied on the platform by a visually impaired woman, who could not do much to help him. “She could do nothing. I ran towards the child but  thought that I might be in danger too”.

-ndtv