Passenger repeatedly punched train guard after realising he missed his stop

The man is said to have fallen asleep on the train

A train guard was assaulted after waking a passenger (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Lancashire police have launched an investigation after a passenger “repeatedly” punched a train guard when he realised he had missed his stop.

The unidentified man is said to have fallen asleep on the train, and became angry when he was woken up by the guard on Tuesday night.

After the assault, the man then escaped the scene by running down the tracks.

British Transport Police (BTP) Lancashire Tweeted: “On Tuesday night a train guard was assaulted at #Chorley.

“As his train approached the station he awoke a sleeping man.

“The male became angry on realising he’d missed his stop, and punched the guard repeatedly, before running off down the track. Enquiries ongoing.”

Details of the suspect haven’t been released but police were called to the scene.

A spokesperson for BTP told The Independent: “Officers were called to Chorley station at 11.17pm on 25 August following reports a train guard had been assaulted by a man who then trespassed while leaving the station.

“Enquiries are currently ongoing.”

Sadly this is far from the only incidence of violence against train staff.

Last year, a ticket inspector ended up trading punches and kicks with two passengers after allegedly being subjected to racist abuse for asking them to move their feet off a train seat.

Footage of the incident showed two male youngsters kicking and punching the lone rail worker, who retaliated by holding on to a pole and swinging his legs at them in a flying kick before hitting them back.