Police are hunting a man who was captured on CCTV pushing a young woman onto a live Tube track.

The footage shows the man shoving the 23-year-old violently off the platform at Leicester Square station.

Miraculously she avoids the live rail, and manages to scramble to safety before a Northern Line train arrives.

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Passing commuters spring into action and try to restrain the man, but he manages to slip free.

The pair had apparently been involved in an argument about a hat before the horrifying incident took place.

The victim was taken to hospital with a wound to her side, but has since been discharged.

Filmed in September last year, the footage has been reissued by the British Transport Police who are trying to track down the assailant.

BTP Detective Sergeant Fin Egan, the investigating officer, said: “This was a dangerous and reckless act which could have had grave consequences had a Tube train been approaching.

“The victim suffered a nasty cut to her side as she landed on the rails, but was able to pull herself back up onto the platform.

“The platform was busy at that time on Friday night and I am appealing for anyone who recognises the man in the images or who witnessed the incident to get in contact.”

The man in the images is described as white, aged about 40 with a thin build. He was wearing a blue shirt, a black jacket and a black wide brimmed hat. He also wore orange/yellow tinted glasses. He spoke with a European accent.

Anyone who knows the man pictured in the image or who has any information about the incident can contact British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 40 50 40 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.