A DOG limped to safety after it leaped over a railway bridge and landed in the path of an oncoming train.

Owner Charlotte Townsend said her pooch, Major, fell about 60ft from the bridge in Moorlands Road, Malvern, on Monday.

He was on his first trip out with a new dog walker in Malvern Link Common when the incident happened.

Ms Townsend, aged 27, of Elgar Avenue, Malvern, said: “They were playing around and something caught his attention.

“He ran towards the railway bridge, jumped up onto the wall and then fell 60ft at least onto the tracks.

“There was a train due two minutes after he landed. He limped his way to safety. The train came bombing past.

“Given how far he had fallen - and falling onto a train track - he’s lucky we have come away with a fractured thigh.”

The mother-of-two rushed to the scene with her boyfriend, Kei Smith, aged 28, after a call from their dog walker, whose partner had climbed down onto the bank to look after the wounded animal.

Ms Townsend said Major was stuck behind a fence to the side of the track until a National Rail employee opened up a gate.

“The vet came with a little Fiesta car. The guy from National Rail offered his van to transport the dog to the vet,” Ms Townsend said.

Her 14-month-old pooch was taken to Pets at Home, in Malvern Retail Park, and stayed at Vets Now Worcester overnight.

The dog was moved to another veterinary in the morning and was due to go into surgery today (September 14).

He will have special plates fitted for around £2,000, although Ms Townsend warned the cost could potentially reach £4,500.

Ms Townsend, who is seven months pregnant, said: “It was very stressful for me. The dog becomes part of the family.

“My partner has lost his job due to having to care for Major following such a complicated operation.

"We are both now out of work and we are appealing for people to help give donations.

“It’s definitely out of our budget, I’ve got two children at home and another on the way.”

Her boyfriend, who worked as a chef at The Swan, in Martin Hussingtree, is an avid dog lover and was particularly upset by the ordeal.

The couple do not have insurance for Major as they only bought him three weeks ago from a breeder in Preston.

They bought Major so their other dog, a bullmastiff called Belle, would have a friend.

Anyone can help by donating here.