Terrified train passengers dropped to the ground and hid under their seats as a man pulled a handgun on transit guards at Oats Street station in Carlisle yesterday.

The incident happened just after midday when it is believed the gunman and a woman boarded the train and were issued with fines for not having tickets.

One passenger, who captured the incident on his mobile phone while lying on the floor, said the man became aggressive when the guards started issuing him with a fine. As the man stepped off the train, he then pulled the gun out of his bag and pointed it at the guards while swearing.

“Everyone dropped to the floor,” he said. “I didn’t understand what was going on at the time, I just saw everyone drop.”

Another passenger James said he had been sitting just a few seats away when the man and woman were confronted by the guards about their tickets.

“When we got to Oats Street, as he was about to get off the train the guy said to the guards ‘I’ve given you the wrong details, but you can’t f... ing stop me’,” he said. “Two of the three guards got off the train and that’s when he was like ‘You’re not going to f...ing hold me’ and he reached into his white bag and pulled out a gun.

“It all just happened so quick. I remember a kid started crying and his mum was covering him.”

The gunman is described as about 184cm and aged 20 to 25, with a slim to medium build and short blond hair.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestoppers.com.au