A WOMAN travelling on a train at Dawlish was hit by a stone thrown through an open window.

The incident happened on Saturday on a train travelling between Dawlish and Teignmouth at about 5pm.

Now officers from British Transport Police are appealing for witnesses.

The passenger was struck by an object hurled towards the train, thought to be from the beach.

British Transport Police were alerted to the incident and said officers are investigation the circumstances.

Members of the public are being urged to contact the force with any information.

A BTP spokesman said: ‘Officers received a report following an incident of assault on board a train on Saturday at around 5pm.

‘Between Dawlish and Teignmouth railway stations a woman was hit on the head after a stone was thrown through an open window.

'Officers are still investigating the circumstance surrounding the incident and anyone with information is asked to contact officers texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 using reference 95 of 6 April.’

Passengers on the train reported seeing a young person throw a ‘large stone’ from the beach at the train.

The stone managed to enter the moving train through an open window where it was said to have struck the woman on the head.

A passenger who was sitting in the same carriage described how the woman, and all those nearby, were ‘shocked’.

They praised the train conductor and said the woman was not thought to have been badly hurt and was ‘lucky’ not to have been knocked unconscious.

They explained the windows had been opened because of the hot weather.

The culprit’s actions were described as ‘dangerous’ and ‘disgraceful’.