RAIL bosses have thanked members of the public and emergency services after a conductor was assaulted at Dawlish station.

Great Western Railway confirmed the conductor was the victim of an assault during an altercation about tickets at the seafront station on Sunday.

He was assessed and treated by paramedics at the scene and did not require hospital treatment.

During efforts to tackle the suspects, a member of the public was also injured from being kicked in the face.

Two Devon and Cornwall Police officers also sustained injuries during the incident.

A police spokesman said the member of the public will be nominated for public commendation for their actions.

A spokesman for GWR said: ‘We can confirm that one of our conductors was assaulted during a ticket dispute at Dawlish station.

‘Our colleague was assessed by paramedics at the scene and did not require hospital treatment.

‘He is now recovering, and we are providing him with our full support.

‘The safety of our staff and passengers is our absolute priority.

‘We have zero tolerance for violence or abuse towards our employees.

‘We would like to thank the police and ambulance service for their swift response and professionalism. ‘We continue to work closely with the police throughout our network.’

A spokesman for British Transport Police said they received reports of a member of train staff being assaulted at the station just after 1.30pm on Sunday.

The spokesman said: ‘Officers and paramedics attended and arrested a 19-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man both from Plymouth.’

During the altercation, Dawlish officer PC George Miller, who arrested the suspects at a nearby bus stop, was also assaulted and a second response officer was hurt.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: ‘We would like to thank the multiple members of the public from Dawlish who embodied the best of the Dawlish community in assisting to restrain the two suspects and who offered support, with one member of the public sustaining injuries from being kicked to the face, who will be nominated for public commendation.’

Officers continue to investigate, and anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016, quoting reference 274 of 19 October.