POLICE have launched an inquiry after a young woman fell from a platform in front of an incoming Metro train.

The 18-year-old suffered a broken ankle in the fall at Newcastle's Monument Metro station on Thursday night.

Shoppers and commuters looked on in horror as she ended up on the track between the engine's wheels.

A man also sustained minor injuries when he tried to rescue her as the train approached the underground station.

The incident happened at about 7.20pm as late-night shoppers flooded into the city centre station. Witnesses say the train slammed on its brakes as it came into the station, screeching to a halt before it could seriously injure the woman.

Fire brigade officers said the casualty was lucky not to be more seriously hurt. A Tyne and Wear Fire Brigade spokesman said the victim was conscious and chatted to firefighters as she was rescued from under the train.

He said: "She was right underneath the train when we arrived, and once the train had been made safe we put people underneath the engine until the paramedics arrived and removed her."

The Health and Safety Executive have been informed and police say they are carrying out inquiries to piece together exactly what happened.

There are no suspicious circumstances.

The accident caused about half an hour's disruption to services while Monument station was closed.