Tom Cruise proved he was not just an action hero on the silver screen as he rushed to help a cameraman who lost his footing on top of a moving stream train while filming scenes for Mission Impossible 7 at the North Yorkshire Moors railway on Thursday.

While the cameraman was wearing a harness, the leading actor, 58, gallantly grabbed hold of him to stop him from falling further down the carriage and pulled him up so he could find his balance on a steel ledge. 

Tom, who plays spy Ethan Hunt in the franchise, was joined by his ‘girlfriend’ Hayley Atwell, 39, and the pair filmed daring scenes which involved running on top of the locomotive as it travelled through the moors. 

To the rescue! Tom Cruise proved he every inch the hero as he rushed to help a cameraman who lost his footing on top of a moving stream train while filming scenes for Mission Impossible 7 at the North Yorkshire Moors railway on Thursday

Tom, who was attached via a harness himself, spotted the cameraman was in trouble during filming and jumped into action. 

The actor crouched down to haul up the crew member, who was carrying a huge camera to shoot the adrenaline-packed scenes. 

Hayley bit her lip as she watched the fall from the carriage below, while other members of the crew, who were stationed on the other end of the cab filming the pair’s stunts, also tried to help. 

Dramatic: Tom was joined by his ‘girlfriend’ Hayley Atwell, 39, and the pair filmed daring scenes which involved running on top of the locomotive as it travelled through the moors

Helping hand: Tom, who was attached via a harness himself, spotted the cameraman was in trouble during filming and jumped into action while concerned colleagues looked on

Early morning: The pair got up early to film the scenes, with Tom spotted on set before 8am

Brave: Tom showed no signs of fear as he raced along the top of the carriage 

Impressive: The steam train powered along the railway, which passed a number of shaggy cows

Building an atmosphere: At one point, Tom looked like he was about to take a massive leap as he was surrounded by steam from the locomotive’s engine

MailOnline has contacted Tom’s representatives for comment.  

During filming on Thursday, Hayley was seen speeding across the coal space behind the engine, and was attached with a wire to ensure she remained safe whilst doing the stunt. 

After Hayley had finished her stunt, it was Tom’s turn and he was seen climbing up onto the locomotive before also running full pelt across the coal.  

Tricky job: The cameraman was attached the train by a safety harness and had to carry a huge camera while perched on a tiny ledge

Wow! In the death-defying scenes, Hayley was seen speeding across the coal space behind the engine

Feeling anxious: Hayley bit her lip as she watched the fall from the carriage below

In character: Tom transformed into spy Ethan Hunt by pairing a black long-sleeved shirt over matching trousers, and he also wore gloves throughout the shoot

What a set up: A number of cameras were on hand to film Tom and Hayley as they filmed on the steam train

Scenic: The railway tracks wound through a stunning forest for the scenes

Hayley looked stylish for the day’s shoot as she dressed in an open-collared white shirt that she paired with a grey waistcoat and matching trousers.

She pulled her brunette locks into a tight ponytail so that her hair did not obscure her vision whilst she ran along the coals, and she also wore flat shoes. 

Tom, meanwhile, transformed into spy Ethan Hunt by pairing a black long-sleeved shirt over matching trousers, and he also wore gloves throughout the shoot. 

Hollywood star in Yorkshire! Tom drew quite a crowd as filming took place

Kind-hearted: The actor chatted happily to fans in-between filming the scenes 

There were also crew members stationed on a moving platform that was attached to a facade of the front of a carriage, and they appeared to be on hand to help the two actors with the scene.

A helicopter was also seen flying high above them, filming on a camera that had been mounted onto the front of the cockpit.

Their visit to set comes four months after romance rumours began between them, with sources saying at the time that filming ‘brought them closer’, and they are said to have become ‘fairly inseparable’ after they ‘hit it off from day one’.