A rail worker has been left with a deep head gash after being struck by a Melbourne train.
The critically injured man was rushed to Royal Melbourne Hospital after being hit by the city-bound service in Laverton on Friday morning.
A hospital spokeswoman said on Friday afternoon his condition had been downgraded to serious but stable.
The Metropolitan Fire Board said the track worker was struck shortly before 9.30am.
"Fortunately, the train driver was following standard protocols and was only travelling slowly through the work site when a protruding part of the lead carriage hit the 40 year-old worker," an MFB statement said.
Metro Trains suspended the Werribee line while the incident was investigated, leaving the train with no power to run air-conditioning systems and forcing about 200 passengers to sit uncomfortably in the sun.
Firefighters handed out bottled water before the commuters were bussed to the nearest station.
The train was evacuated about 10.40am.
