Police investigate assault on Ballarat-bound train

Transit Crime Investigation say a 28-year-old Ballarat man was arrested after the train pulled into Footscray station.

He was later released pending further enquiries.

Officers also said a 45-year-old man from Cobblebank - east of Melton - was assaulted and subsequently hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigators were told an argument broke out between two men travelling among a group of people on the last Ballarat train of the day.

The service was due to leave Southern Cross station at 10.56pm, with the incident erupting shortly after.

Police said they received reports of a brawl between "a group of males" around 11pm - at the time it stopped at Footscray.

A witness posted on social media that at least seven "thugs" were involved - and there was a large amount of blood.

He was also concerned about injuries to "innocent passengers".

Witnesses said alcohol was a factor in the brawl and described a woman being grabbed by the hair and pushed into a window, causing facial injuries.

"It was a bloodbath.. seen nothing like it," he said.

A notification from V/Line at the time stated that the train had been delayed 30 minutes "due to unruly passengers".

V/Line has since confirmed the total delay was 45 minutes.

A spokesperson also said the 11:10pm Geelong-line train from Southern Cross to Waurn Ponds was delayed by about 30 minutes while waiting for the Ballarat train to move on.

"We thank passengers for their patience while we worked with emergency services to ensure services could resume running as quickly and safely as possible," the spokesperson said.

The Courier has contacted Ambulance Victoria and is awaiting further information.

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