A railway worker has been recognized as a "real-life hero" after he put his own life on the line to save a child who had fallen onto the tracks.
Footage released by India's Ministry of Railways shows the heart-stopping moment the young child was walking along the platform with an unidentified adult, before they fell onto the tracks. The child's guardian is believed to be their mother.
Per NBC News, the incident unfolded at the Vangani station in Mumbai, India, and security footage shows the moment railway worker Shri Mayur Shelke sprinted to save the child.
With a train quickly approaching in the background, Shelke hurriedly lifts the child and throws them to safety on the platform, before climbing up and saving himself from harm.
They literally have seconds to spare before the train then barrels past them.
Sharing the footage on their official Twitter account, the Ministry of Railways said in a statement:
"A Good Samaritan: At Vangani station of Central Railway, Pointsman Mr. Mayur Shelkhe saved the life of a child just in the nick of the time. He risked his life to save the life of the child.
"We salute his exemplary courage & utmost devotion to the duty."
The video has since been viewed on the platform just shy of 250,000 times by social media users.
A follow-up video shows Shelke been applauded by his coworkers, in a post captioned: "Shri Mayur Shelkhe the ‘real life hero’ appreciated by staff & DRM of Mumbai Division of Central Railway."
Shelke was awarded 50,000 rupees ($667) for his act of bravery, NBC News states, with several reports claiming that he has chosen to donate half the money to the child for their welfare and education.
A statement from the minister of railways, Piyush Goyal, was also shared online, and praised Shelke for his "act of bravery, courage, and presence of mind" while on duty.
Featured image credit: View Stock / Alamy
