Man to face court over violent assault of three passengers on Adelaide train

A dad has been hailed a hero after standing up to a man who was arrested and allegedly attacked three people during a rampage on an Adelaide train.

A city bound train stopped at the Elizabeth South train station after an assault on Friday, July 5. Picture: 7NEWS

A father has been described as a “hero” after standing up to a passenger who violently assaulted three people in a rampage on a Gawler line train bound for the city on Friday, 7NEWS has reported.

The “aggressive male passenger” allegedly hit and spat on others during the incident.

Phil Fisken, who suffered injuries to his face, told 7NEWS the attacker was “raving and ranting”, calling him “a racist pig” and then spitting blood in his face.

“I was against the window... I couldn’t even get my hands up,” he said.

Mr Fisken said he would never be using public transport again.

He told the network he was punched in the head at least half a dozen times before one man stepped in.

Passenger Jean Watson called the father who stood up to the attacker “a hero”.

“He was protecting his family but he also stood and kept the man, he was telling him to stay,” she told 7NEWS.

“He was protecting people as well.

“We all say thank you.”

Witnesses told 7NEWS the perpetrator was pacing up and down the train and randomly attacking people.

Another victim, John Webb, 89 said the attacker raced at him.

Police confirmed they have arrested a 27-year-old Elizabeth Downs after a train stopped at the Elizabeth South train station.

One of the victims, an elderly man was treated at the scene by paramedics for minor injuries. Picture: 7 NEWS

The man has been charged with several offences.. Picture: 7 NEWS

He was charged with numerous offences including assault.

Police and SA ambulance crews were called to the train station at 11.30am on Friday after the citybound train had stopped there.

One of the victims – an elderly man – was treated at the scene by paramedics for minor injuries.

A man has been arrested after assaulting passengers on a train at Elizabeth South. Picture: 7 NEWS

Police and ambulance crews were called to the Elizabeth South railway station after the citybound train had stopped there, due to an aggressive male passenger who had assaulted three other passengers. Picture: 7 NEWS

The man charged was issued a three month transit barring order. He received bailed and is expected to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court in August.

Police say the train was delayed for about half an hour but has since resumed normal services.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Man to face court over violent assault of three passengers on Adelaide train