A woman who fell onto railway tracks as a train approached is back at work – using the same station where her horrific accident took place.

Commuter Barbara Smith, 63, tripped and fell onto the line at Strood just moments before her train, a high-speed service into London, was pulling into the station one morning.

The purchase ledger clerk was rescued from the tracks by quick-thinking heroes Gareth Acres and Billy McPhail who sprang into action with no thought of the dangers to themselves.

Mrs Smith, who lives in Strood, spent months at home recovering after breaking her ankle during the fall but is now back at her desk in Whitechapel.

She had made the journey countless times, but on the morning of May 29, her routine turned into a scene of horror.

Mrs Smith had tripped on the platform and fell onto the line as a train approached.

Passengers leapt onto the track, just inches from the live rail, to pull her to safety, and her dramatic rescue was captured on CCTV images from the train.

Mr Acres, from Strood, and Mr McPhail, who lives in Essex, have now been nominated for a Pride in Medway Award by Mrs Smith.

Speaking from work, Mrs Smith said she had returned to work about six weeks ago, after a long process of recovery at her home.

She said: “I didn’t like being off, and I got so bored at home.

“I just wanted to go back to work and I had to have a lot of physiotherapy on my leg and I still have the screws and the pin in it and I now walk with a limp.

“I had to use a stick to walk up until a couple of weeks ago, but I gave it a go without it and can now manage to walk unaided.

“I have problems going up and down the stairs and have to take one at a time, but other than that I’m OK. Mrs Smith will be reunited with Mr Acres and Mr McPhail when she goes along to the Pride in Medway certificate presentation early next year.

Stories you might have missed

Fish shop owner stabbed defending takings

Vehicle fire closes motorway

Benefit cheat with £250k in the bank claims £40k

Girlfriend in emotional video plea to missing Pat Lamb