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Commuters push 32-ton train car off trapped woman in Japan

By Yoko Wakatsuki and Holly Yan, CNN
July 23, 2013 -- Updated 0816 GMT (1616 HKT)
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • A woman fell in a gap between a commuter train and platform near Tokyo
  • 40 passengers and staff members push a 30,000-kilogram train car to free her
  • The woman was not seriously injured

Tokyo (CNN) -- Even during Tokyo's notoriously hectic rush hour, dozens of commuters stopped to push a 32-ton train car out of the way.

A woman trying to get off a train in Saitama, north of Tokyo, fell in a gap between the train and the platform Monday morning, said Takashi Tsukahara, a spokesman for the train operator JR East.

About 40 passengers and JR staff rushed to push the train off the woman. Tsukahara said a train carriage typically weighs about 30,000 kilograms, but is able to sway a bit side to side to absorb the train's movements.

The commuters pushed the train just enough to free the woman. A loud cheer erupted as the woman was pulled up.

The woman, in her 30s, was not seriously injured.

Just eight minutes later, the train took off again.

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