DISABLED Derek Griffin escaped death by seconds when he slipped from a railway platform into the path of an oncoming train.

The 29-year-old commuter plunged on to the track after slipping on the icy platform at Poppleton Station, York.

Level crossing gates at the station were already closed for the train to arrive as passengers reached down the four-foot drop to the tracks and pulled Derek back.

"If it had happened 40 seconds later the train would have been in the station," said Derek.

"I'd like to thank all those people who came to my help. I managed to roll as I fell and was able to get myself up. I have only bruised my elbow bone."

Derek, of Acomb, who uses sticks to help him walk, has been travelling to his Doncaster workplace by train for five years and said platforms were usually gritted.

"Skidding off the platform was a shock," he said.

"There was no sign it was icy, but the next thing I knew I was skidding and up and over the edge.

"I'd like to know someone will check the platforms are gritted in future, so I've written to Northern Spirit."

Derek's father, Howard, who also lives in Acomb, has hailed as heroes the passengers who helped Derek, but is horrified at what could have happened.

"If the train had been any closer Derek would not have stood a chance," he said.

"Luckily he has only hurt his elbow, but this has made walking more difficult because he relies on his arms to get him around.

"I am very angry because surely platforms should be made safe."

Howard Keal, of Northern Spirit confirmed the accident had taken place on Wednesday morning and said an investigation was under way.

"We were very concerned to hear about what happened to Derek - and would encourage everyone waiting for a train to stay well away from the edge of the platform.

"Gritting of platforms is something we take very seriously but there was no severe weather warning received.

"When it became apparent there had been a severe frost a gritting team went out but unfortunately they had not reached Poppleton by the time of this incident."

The Health and Safety railway inspectorate is also investigating the incident.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.