A RAILWAY worker who rescued a disabled woman who had toppled on to a train track could be sacked for breaching safety procedures.

The man, along with three other people, hauled the wheelchair-bound woman to safety after she fell about 4ft at Southend Central rail station just minutes before a train was due to arrive.

They leapt on to the track and lifted the wheelchair, with the woman in her seventies strapped in it, back on to the platform.

However, it has now emerged the c2c staff worker has been suspended in the aftermath and faces disciplinary action in regards to the incident.

A c2c spokesman said: “We have strict rules regarding correct safety procedures and an employee has been suspended while our investigations into the incident continue.” In the meantime, the RMT Union says it is speaking to members about what happened.

A spokesman said: “RMT is fully aware of the incident and is consulting with our reps and members before a report is presented to the union’s executive.”

The woman fell at 6.10pm last Wednesday. A train was due at 6.15pm.

Station staff alerted signallers about the incident, as the train was only a quarter of a mile away, but by the time it arrived everyone was off the track.

It is understood the woman in the wheelchair had a carer with her.

One man, who didn’t want to be named, said: “He was suspended after pulling the woman back off the tracks, because staff can’t go on the tracks. He saved her life, but now he might lose his job. It is pretty bad.”

The woman, whose condition after the accident was not thought to be life-threatening, was taken to Southend Hospital for treatment.