Indian woman trapped between moving train and platform

This is the moment a woman narrowly escaped death after she fell from a moving train and became trapped between the tracks and the platform.

Shikha Varma was standing on the train at Itarsi railway station, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, when it began to move.

She reportedly fell out of the open door and became stuck in the small gap between the moving train and the platform.

Heart-stopping: Shikha Varma (pictured) was pulled to safety by onlookers after she fell from the train as it left Itarsi railway station, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh

A fellow passenger alerted officials but the train only came to a stop after three carriages had barreled past the terrified 37 year old, who had been about to begin her hour-long journey home to the town of Sohagpur.

Footage from the scene showed the train pulling away from the station as a crowd gathered part way down the platform.

As the cameraman moved towards the group, Ms Varma was revealed pressed against the side of the platform as the carriages trundled past her, missing her by centimetres.

Close call: The train only came to a stop after three carriages had barreled past the terrified 37 year old, allowing passersby to pull Ms Varma back onto the platform

After several heart-stopping seconds the train slowed and stopped, allowing passersby to pull Ms Varma back onto the platform.

Police also aided the rescue. Miraculously, Ms Varma reportedly did not suffer any injuries.

But she was so shocked by the ordeal that for several moments she was unable to stand up, and instead sat on the platform as concerned witnesses gathered around her, with one giving her a bottle of water to drink.

In shock: For several moments after being saved Ms Varma was unable to stand up, and instead sat on the platform as concerned witnesses gathered around her, with one giving her a drink