Youths throw woman on railway line in station no smoking row

A female commuter was thrown on to a live railway line this morning after telling two young men to stop smoking on a station platform.

The 58-year-old woman, whose identity is not known, suffered burns and a suspected broken collar bone and was taken to hospital after the incident, at Farningham Road station in Kent during the rush hour shortly after 7am. Police said she had been lucky to escape with her life.

The men who pushed her, said to be in their early to mid 20s, had earlier this week been asked by the woman to stop smoking on the platform, where it is banned. Today's attack took place after they recognised her from the earlier confrontation. Fellow commuters rushed to her aid after she fell onto the tracks and dragged her to safety.

“It would appear the woman had spoken to the men about smoking earlier this week,” said Detective Inspector Bob Richardson, of British Transport Police.