This is the dramatic moment a quick-thinking station master saved a deaf grandmother from being crushed by an oncoming train at a level crossing in Thailand.

Thitipong Piripol was on duty at the Ban Song railway station in Surat Thani province when he spotted the pensioner, 75, ambling over the tracks on April 30.

Heart-stopping CCTV footage shows the hearing-impaired woman shuffling lesiurely across the railway as the train rumbled closer. Thitipong then dashed and tackled her to the ground, keeping the shocked villager unharmed as the train thundered past them with seconds to spare.

Thitipong's heroic deed has earned him praise from State Railway of Thailand governor Nirut Maneephan, who said that Thitipong was a 'hero' who put someone else's safety 'before his own'.

Surat Thani governor Wichawut Jinto also rewarded Thitipong with a fruit basket and certificate of recognition.

Nirut said: 'We ask all people to be careful and make sure it is safe before walking or driving across rail tracks.'

Thitipong said the woman he saved was deaf so she could not hear the train approaching.

He said: 'When she started crossing there were no trains approaching, but this one came so quickly. She was looking where to walk and being careful not to trip but she did not hear the train coming.

'My job is to check that the rail lines are safe when trains are approaching and then I saw the old lady crossing. My instinct was that she was walking so slowly she would be struck by the train, so I instantly ran over to push her away.'