Watch the moment an Indian railway employee risks life to save child on tracks

In dramatic footage shared by India's Minister of Railways, a child can be seen falling off a station platform as a train approaches

A railway worker has won praise for rescuing a child who had fallen on to train tracks at a station in Mumbai, with less than a second to spare.

In CCTV video shared online, a woman and a young child can be seen walking along the platform at Vangani railway station on Saturday afternoon, when the child falls over the edge.

Local media reported the woman was blind and unable to help as the child tried to climb back on to the platform.

As a train barrels towards the struggling child, pointsman Mayur Shelke runs into shot along the track, racing towards the child and the approaching train.

He arrives just in time, picking up and pushing the child on to the platform, before managing to scramble up as well, a moment before the train zooms past.

India's Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal, who shared the video on Twitter, said he was "very proud" of Mr Shelka, "who has done an exceptionally courageous act, risked his own life [and] saved a child's life".

The Ministry of Railways also saluted his courage, saying he saved the child "in the nick of time". A video shared on Twitter by the ministry showed Mr Shelke being applauded by colleagues.

Social media users also praised the heroic act, calling for Mr Shelke to be given an award and a promotion and calling him "selfless".

Mr Shelke told colleagues he was only carrying out his duty by saving the child, Mr Goyal wrote on Twitter.

"His act cannot be compared with any prize or money, but he will be rewarded for fulfilling his responsibility, and motivating humanity with his work," Mr Goyal said.