Passengers watch on in horror as Victorian train staff wrestle with passengers. Courtesy: Channel Nine News

A V/LINE conductor was punched in the mouth by a passenger during a vicious brawl at a railway station outside Geelong.

The fight is believed to have started after a man and woman failed to produce valid tickets after getting off a Melbourne-bound service at Lara railway station on Tuesday afternoon.

News_Module: Victorian V-Line staff in fight

Witnesses who watched the brawl from the train were appalled by the level of force applied by V/Line’s ticket inspectors, Channel 9 reported.

News_Image_File: Passengers film the altercation

V/Line spokesman Colin Tyrus said the passengers stepped off the train with a number of transit officers about 3pm.

He said the pair failed to produce tickets when asked by the V/Line staff and became aggressive towards them.

An altercation then erupted on the platform, during which the train’s conductor was punched in the face by one of the passengers, Mr Tyrus said.

News_Image_File: Passengers not happy with level of force used

He said the conductor needed medical treatment for injuries to her teeth, mouth and lips.

“She’s recovering OK,” he said.

Footage of the brawl — captured by witnesses and aired on Channel 9 — shows one of the passengers screaming “get off my head” as he’s wrestled to the concrete.

The woman passenger is shown being held up against a fence before she too becomes involved in a wrestling match with V/Line staff.

News_Image_File: Ticket checkers wrestle with the passenger

Mr Tyrus said V/Line was investigating the incident.

“We won’t tolerate violence against our staff,” he said.

Police have also launched an investigation and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Victoria Police spokeswoman Natalie Webster said police attended the train station just after 3pm yesterday after reports of a man and woman becoming aggressive towards V/Line staff.

News_Image_File: The fight ensues

She said officers spoke to the pair, but no charges have been laid.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersvic.com.au.

samantha.landy@news.com.au