Man pushes woman on to the tracks at Leicester Square on the London Northern Line

A crazed commuter launched an apparently random attack on a young woman, pushing her on to the tracks of the London Underground.

The victim struck up a brief conversation with the thug and following a trivial row over the man’s hat, he turned and shoved her on to the rails on the Northern Line at Leicester Square.

The 23-year-old woman only missed the live rail by inches, and was able to pull herself back onto the platform with the help of other travelers before the next train came down the platform.

Injuries to her side were so severe, witnesses initially thought she had been stabbed.

The incident – highlighted on the BBC’s six-part The Tube documentary on Monday night – shows the very real dangers faced by commuters and staff each day.

British Transport Police are still hunting the man behind the vicious assault, describing him as smartly dressed.

BTP said the incident stemmed from a short argument about the attacker’s hat.

The incident took place on Friday, September 16, at about 11:20 p.m., but police are so keen to find the man they have re-appealed again for more information on the back of the BBC’s documentary.

The woman suffered a wound to her side and was taken to hospital, while both platforms of the Northern Line were shut for the rest of the evening.

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 and I am appealing for anyone who recognizes 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.

Footage of the aftermath of the incident can be seen in Episode 1 of The Tube, available on BBC iPlayer.

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