A court heard how a drunk man tried to throw a himself and a woman he had never met in front of a train.

Arthur Hawrylewicz, 42, told police he had drunk three beers and a third of a bottle of vodka on August 29 last year before travelling to King’s Cross station with the intention of harming himself.

Things escalated as Hawrylewicz stood on the edge of the busy Hammersmith and City line platform and tried to speak to a 22-year-old woman.

The woman was with her friends as they were on their way to Notting Hill Carnival.

Realising he was drunk, she asked him to leave her alone. But as the train approached he grabbed her from behind with both arms and lifted her off the ground.

British Transport Police said he then attempted to turn and throw her, along with himself, in front of the train.

Fortunately, two of the victim’s friends intervened and pulled her to safety.

Hawrylewicz then moved his head in front of the train and received a glancing blow that knocked him unconscious.

He was rushed to hospital but his injuries were not serious and he was able to be interviewed by officers the next day.

Hawrylewicz, of Avondale Gardens in Cardiff, claimed he did not recall any interaction with the victim.

He pleaded guilty to attempted murder at Inner London Crown Court yesterday (March 6) and will be sentenced on April 24.

Detective Sergeant Mike Blakeburn said: “This was a completely unprovoked and incredibly disturbing attack which will have been beyond terrifying for the victim – a young woman who was on her way to enjoy a day at Notting Hill Carnival with her friends.

“Had it not been for their brave actions pulling her from Hawrylewicz’s clutches, we could easily have been dealing with a murder investigation.

“Hawrylewicz has never offered any explanation or rationale for why he did what he did and claimed throughout interview that he had no recollection of the incident, but the victim will have to live with this traumatic memory for the rest of her life.

“Thankfully he can now expect a significant custodial sentence where he’ll have plenty of time to consider the implications of his senseless and violent behaviour.”