BOSTON -- An MBTA driver who stopped an Orange Line train moments before it struck a woman who fell onto the tracks at North Station was honored Monday.

Surveillance video released Monday shows a 26-year-old woman waiting for the train. She walked toward the tunnel to light a cigarette. When the train arrives, the woman stepped on the cigarette to put it out, but she lost her balance and fell into the pit.

The train was approaching the inbound platform at about 10:54 p.m. Friday when the driver, Charice Lewis, saw other passengers waving.

"The people were waving, but they were waving too much, and they were really, really close to the yellow line, which you are not supposed to be. It was telling me, 'Slow your train down. Slow your train down,'" Lewis said.

The platform was crowded with people waiting for the train, including Cynthia White.

"She landed and got into the center of the rails," White said. "Five or six of us started the flagging and leaning over."

Lewis said that she saw the woman lying in the pit below.

"As I was approaching, the lady pops her head up, and I was like, 'Oh my God. Someone is in the pit.' I threw it into emergency, exactly what I am supposed to do, and it stopped just in time not to hurt her," Lewis said.

The train stopped just outside the platform, a short distance from the woman.

Witnesses frantically waved at the oncoming train to alert the operator, who was recognized Monday by the MBTA board.

"After the fact, she came up with a big smile on her face," Lewis said.

Passengers who witnessed the incident helped pull the woman to safety.

"It was so close that I thought it was bad, but it turned out to be a good situation, and that is all I am happy about," Lewis said.

Two MBTA transit police officers who spoke with the woman who fell said she had been drinking several hours earlier and was noticeably intoxicated.

"When she stood up we were in disbelief that she was able to stand up," White said.

The woman avoided making contact with the electrified third rail. She was treated for scrapes on her knees at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Jacqueline Osorio, a second MBTA employee who helped alert riders, was also recognized by officials.