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ABC News
National
Kamin Gock and Paulina Vidal

Video emerges of man falling onto tracks at Redfern station as response of staff, bystanders praised

Video captures the moment a Sydney train almost hits the man and his rescuers at Redfern station. (Rox G Molavin)

Staff and commuters have been praised for their quick response in averting a tragedy after a man fell onto rail tracks at a Sydney station.

Warning: Some people may find the video of this incident confronting.

The incident occurred about 3pm last Friday, just minutes before a Cronulla-bound service on the T4 line was due to arrive at Redfern station.

CCTV footage shows the 57-year-old standing at the edge of the platform one moment and then going over face first the next.  

In more "disturbing" vision that emerged overnight, a number of commuters can be seen jumping on the tracks to his rescue, while others can be heard screaming "Oh, f***!" as they catch a glimpse of the train approaching the platform.

Police were alerted to the incident at Redfern station on Friday, April 1. (Supplied: Sydney Trains)
The Cronulla-bound train managed to stop just metres away from the man and those assisting him. (Supplied: Rox G Molavin)

It also shows staff signalling the incoming train to stop, which it managed to do just metres away from the group assisting the man.

"When I saw that video I was horrified that somebody would be so blatantly ignorant about the situation that they are in," NSW Transport Minister David Elliott said.

"I also was extremely proud of those staff members that immediately responded."

Police said the man was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital with head and wrist injuries, but was arrested soon after and charged with breach of AVO. 

Mr Elliott said while it was disappointing transport staff had to put their own lives at risk, their swift action was a credit to their training.

"You can tell by the footage that the immediate response is without thought of their own safety, they knew what protocols they had to introduce.

"They knew what they had to do, and they stopped that train on time which averted a tragedy. I'll be personally thanking them."

CCTV captures the moment a man falls on the train tracks at Redfern station. (Supplied: Sydney Trains )

Bravery awards are being considered for the bystanders, with police in the process of trying to identify them. 

"That is heroic behaviour. And nobody knows what they will do in a situation like this, and those women need to be congratulated," Mr Elliott said. 

Concerns that lack of staff at stations, coupled with the over-reliance on the automated timetable system, might have contributed to the incident were hosed down by the minister.

He said the staffing levels were appropriate and people needed to take personal responsibility.

"I will always engage with the union when it comes to safety on the railways.

"People cannot expect staff to be around 24/7 in every part of our transport system.

"That's why, if you are using public transport, as a Plan B — or if you are unsteady on your feet — you still have to be aware of the dangers around you."

The man is due back in court in a month's time after being granted conditional bail on April 3.

A police investigation is also underway.

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