A drunk woman who stumbled onto railway tracks in front of an oncoming subway train in Boston, Massachusetts.

Surveillance video shows the 26-year-old woman waiting on the platform.

As the train approaches, she tries to stub out a cigarette but loses her balance and falls about 3ft onto the rails.

Despite landing on her feet, she stumbles forward before slumping onto her back.

The train driver, Charice Lewis, quickly slams on her emergency brakes and stops the vehicle just inches from the passenger.

Ms Lewis said: "The people were waving, but they were waving too much, and they were really, really close to the yellow line, which you are not supposed to be.

"It was telling me, 'Slow your train down. Slow your train down.

"As I was approaching, the lady pops her head up, and I was like, 'Oh my God. Someone is in the pit.' I threw it into emergency, exactly what I am supposed to do, and it stopped just in time not to hurt her.

"After the fact, she came up with a big smile on her face."

Transit police officers who spoke with the lucky survivor said she had been drinking several hours earlier and was noticeably intoxicated.

The woman was treated for scrapes on her knees at Massachusetts General Hospital. (less info)