Train officials at Japan Railway's Minami-Urawa station were joined this morning by some 40 commuters eager to help push a 70,000 pound train car off a trapped passenger.

The woman had apparently fallen through an 8-inch gap between the platform and the train, and was unable to climb out.

A remarkable photo captured by newspaper photographer Norihiro Shigeta shows the strangers joining forces to help free the woman by tilting the train to its side.

After some effort, the uninjured woman was rescued, and the train continued on its route after a short eight-minute delay.

[photo via AP]