A MAN who cheated death after surviving a freak accident with a 100mph train in Droitwich has declared himself an "idiot".

Noah Hodgkiss, 56, said he had been "unbelievably lucky" after he was flung yards along the track by the force of the crash.

He had been searching for his dropped mobile phone when he was struck by the 5.45pm Cardiff to Birmingham passenger service.

His Motorola phone had ended up on the track after slipping off a wall on a bridge he was crossing on the way home after posting a letter.

But as he hunted for the mobile after venturing down onto the train lines he suddenly saw the train speeding towards him.

He tried to push himself out of the way but it crashed into his back, smashing his pelvis, ribs, fingers and arm.

Mr Hodgkiss said his hearing and sight difficulties meant he had no idea he was in trouble until it was too late.

He said: "I was right in the middle of the two tracks when it happened, before I knew what was going on it was on me.

"I tried to leap out of the way by pushing myself off the ground, but it was too late and it hit me from behind.

"I can't describe how it felt, I was just thinking what was going to happen to me.

"It forced me along for a few yards before I got out of the way and fell to the floor.

"I was still conscious and as I looked around I realised I was under the bridge. It was then I started desperately shouting for help.

"Luckily someone taking their dog for a walk heard my cries and phoned 999.

"A police officer who found me said that he couldn't believe that I was still alive and the doctors at the hospital even said they were astounded that I survived."

Former circuit board maker Mr Hodgkiss's nightmare unfolded in the picture postcard village of Tibberton on Saturday at 7.30pm.

After the crash happened the driver of the train slammed his brakes on before he phoned for help.

Medics found Mr Hodgkiss lying next to the track still in shock and immediately sedated him with drugs to treat his pain.

He was scrambled to Worcester Royal Hospital where he stayed for three days before he discharged himself on Monday night.

Now he is at home with a broken pelvis, two broken ribs on his left side, and injuries to his arms and fingers.

He said: "I know I have been unbelievably lucky and I can tell you I will never go anywhere near the railway lines again.

"I don't even have the phone any more - it's in A&E somewhere smashed into a million pieces.

"Because of my hearing problems and cataracts I didn't even notice the train was there until it was too late.

"I just want people to realise that they shouldn't go onto the tracks for any reason and I'm so grateful for everyone that has helped me.

"I'm not a hero, I'm an idiot."

The most recent figures from Office for Rail Regulation show there were 217 deaths in Great Britain of people venturing out onto the tracks in 2007. It represents a fall from the previous year's tally of 253.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman confirmed they had helped at the unusual crash.

He said: "Crews arrived at the scene to find a man on railway tracks.

"He was in a stable condition obviously very shaken up, we took him to the hospital by land ambulance for further assessment and treatment."

British Transport said they were still looking into what had happened but did not think there were any suspicious circumstances.

A spokesman said they had been called about the crash at 7.39pm.

He said: "We can confirm that a 56-year-old man was injured after being struck by a train at Evelench crossing in Tibberton, Droitwich, on Saturday.

"Officers attended the incident alongside officers from West Mercia Police and paramedics from the local ambulance service.

"The man, whose injuries are not life-threatening, was taken to hospital."