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10:30 - 09 September 2005

Passengers watched in horror as a woman fell under an oncoming train at
Leicester railway station.

Emergency services spent more than an hour trying to free the woman,
who was trapped beneath a carriage.

It is understood she had a leg amputated at the scene. She is now in
Leicester Royal Infirmary. Her injuries are not thought to be
life-threatening.

The incident happened as the 13.51 Central Trains service to Birmingham
pulled in to the station.

Witnesses told police they saw the woman, who has not been identified,
move to the edge of platform three and jump.

A doctor who was waiting for the train and saw the incident helped the
woman before emergency services arrived.

Fire and paramedic crews worked together for more than an hour to try
to free the woman, who is believed to be middle-aged.

Firefighters were hampered by the weight of the train.

They used 60-tonne airbags to lift the train from the tracks.

Services were delayed and platform two was also closed for an hour
during the rescue operation.

Police have launched an investigation.

Det Sgt Bill Henry, of British Transport Police, said: "Her injuries
are very serious. There was a doctor on the platform and she went down
and the fallen woman was given immediate medical assistance.

"The incident is not being treated as a crime and we have witnesses who
saw the woman go towards the edge of the platform and jump."

Firefighter Andy Kirk was incident commander at the scene.

"Fifteen firefighters were involved in the rescue," he said.

"It was a protracted incident due to the sheer weight of the train. The
working conditions were very difficult in such a confined space, with
fumes and waste all around. We had to be very careful.

"It was a race against time to get her out and we worked closely with
paramedics to find the best way to get her legs free. She was conscious
and talking throughout this process."

Mr Kirk said both services had worked extremely well together and the
rescue was handled in "a thoroughly professional manner".

The exact circumstances of how the woman fell are being investigated.

Station manager Malcolm Holmes, of Midland Mainline, said: "Journeys
were delayed for about 20 minutes, but all services resumed at about
3.30pm, using three platforms.

"Our priority was to rescue this individual. Fortunately, the train was
slowing down and was about to stop."

Anyone with information should contact British Transport Police on 0800
405040.