TWO people have been arrested after a man was stabbed on-board a train travelling through Teesside on Friday evening.

The man was attacked while a passenger on the 2.45 Hexham to Nunthorpe train, which was terminated at Billingham just after 5pm on Friday.

British Transport Police officers are investigating the stabbing, with witnesses reporting seeing around six police vehicles in the vicinity of Billingham’s station in the immediate aftermath of the incident.

A spokesman for BTP said a man and a woman had been arrested following the stabbing.

He said: “Officers have been called to Billingham Station following reports of a serious assault on board a train.

“A man has been taken to hospital for treatment for stab injuries. His condition is not thought to be life-threatening.

“A woman and a man have been arrested in connection with this incident.

“Both have been taken to police custody whilst enquiries continue.”

The stabbing is believed to have happened while the train was close to Cowpen Bewley and passengers were evacuated shortly afterwards.

The North-East Ambulance service confirmed that the victim was a man who had been rushed to James Cook University Hospital’s major trauma unit.

Train lines were temporarily blocked as a result of the incident, with Northern Rail adding an extra service to help passengers. Lines reopened at around 6.15pm.

The spokesman for Northern Rail urged witnesses to contact police and said services were now back to normal.

He said the company had staff at the scene to take care of anyone affected by the shocking incident, adding: “Anyone who was on board the train and witnessed what happened is asked to get in touch by sending a text to 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 408 of 15/09/2017.

“Alternatively, ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”