Friday afternoon, in what police call a random attack by a distraught stranger, two teenage boys, aged 14 and 15, pushed in front of an oncoming subway train, managed to survive, escaping without critical injuries, even while trapped by a train speeding into the station.

The 14-year-old crawled under the platform to avoid being in the direct path of the train, but one foot the 15-year old was crushed as the train raced past the teenagers, before coming to a stop.

According to police, the younger boy yanking his friend under the platform, only leaving his foot exposed that saved the older boy from a fate what could have been much worse.

Both teenagers were taken, and though neither suffered life-threatening physical injuries, the 15-year-old has lost a number of his toes.

Onlookers chasing down the 47-year-old suspect, helped police apprehend him, though authorities believe he did not know the victims, nor did he intend to kill the boys. The police are calling the incident a 'completely random' one, with no reason to it, though the suspect according to Toronto Transit Commission spokesman Brad Ross was: 'screaming and swearing', appearing agitated as he came up the stairs from the platform, attempting to assault a ticket collector, before escaping.

One of the witnesses said: 'He was angry. He was clearly in crisis. He said he'd been waiting 12 hours to be seen at a hospital.'

Police say the suspect now faces three charges of attempted murder, as a third youth though pushed, did not fall onto the tracks, and it is also likely an assault charge will also be slapped on him, in relation to his scuffle with subway staff.