CAUGHT ON CAM: Man So Engrossed in Mobile Phone Misses Train — Chilling Moment Captured on CCTV in Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal, 
In a shocking reminder of how dangerously addicted people have become to their mobile phones, CCTV footage from a railway station in Madhya Pradesh has gone viral, capturing a heart-stopping moment when a man — so lost in his screen — failed to board his train and was nearly dragged onto the tracks.

The incident took place at Itarsi Junction, one of the busiest railway stations in the state, on Monday evening. The CCTV clip, now circulating widely on social media and news platforms, shows a young man walking along the platform, eyes glued to his smartphone, completely unaware that his train was preparing to leave.

As the train’s final whistle blew and passengers rushed to board, the man — later identified as Ravi Tiwari, 28, a resident of Betul — casually strolled past the open doors of his reserved coach, still scrolling on his phone. By the time he looked up and realized what was happening, it was too late.

In a panicked move, Ravi lunged toward the moving train in an attempt to climb aboard — but his foot slipped, and he fell dangerously close to the edge of the platform, just inches from the wheels.

The CCTV captures a terrifying few seconds as Ravi struggles to regain balance, his phone flying out of his hand. Thankfully, alert bystanders, including a railway porter and two passengers, rushed to pull him back just in time, preventing what could have been a tragic accident.

Eyewitnesses say the scene left everyone on the platform shaken. “He was literally an inch away from death,” said Mahesh Dubey, who helped rescue him. “One second later and he would’ve been under the train. All because of that damned phone!”

Ravi, though physically unharmed, was visibly shaken after the incident. “I didn’t even hear the train whistle,” he admitted to reporters later. “I was replying to an office message and didn’t realize my coach was right in front of me. I’m lucky to be alive.”

Railway officials have confirmed the incident and say it serves as a critical warning. “We’ve seen people trip, walk into poles, even fall down stairs because they’re distracted by their phones,” said Station Superintendent Rajeev Verma. “But this is the first time someone came this close to being run over at our station.”

Indian Railways has now decided to replay the CCTV footage on screens across stations in Madhya Pradesh as part of a safety campaign titled “Look Up, Stay Alive.”

Social media users have flooded the internet with reactions — a mix of outrage, empathy, and dark humor. While many criticized Ravi’s carelessness, others pointed fingers at the growing digital addiction that grips today’s youth. Hashtags like #MobileMadness, #TrainEscape, and #LuckyToBeAlive have been trending across platforms.

Psychologists say the incident is not surprising. “We are in the midst of a behavioral crisis,” warned Dr. Shalini Mishra, a clinical psychologist in Bhopal. “Phone dependency is turning into a public safety hazard. The line between distraction and danger is vanishing.”

As for Ravi, he says he’s learned his lesson the hard way. “I deleted most apps and bought a basic phone today,” he told ABP LIVE. “No message is more important than your life.”

The footage may only be a few seconds long — but its message is chillingly clear: If you keep your eyes on the screen, you might miss everything else… including your life.

This is a developing story. Viewer discretion is advised while watching the CCTV clip.