A MAN was beaten unconscious in a gang attack onboard a train.

The 22-year-old victim blacked out after he was set upon by about 12 men.

Even after he had passed out, they carried on kicking him in the face and body.

He was left with severe bruising to his right eye, cuts across his head, ears and chin, and damage to his ribs.

The attack happened on a C2C train which left Southend at 5.44am on Sunday bound for Fenchurch Street. The victim left the train at Benfleet, where he was met by paramedics and taken to hospital.

Det Con David Bishop, of British Transport Police, said: “This type of incident is very rare on the railway, and violence of this nature will simply not be tolerated.

“This man was set upon by a group and clearly had no way of defending himself. I am urging anyone with information to contact us immediately – your help could be vital to the investigation.”

The group were all described as white, and in their late teens. The main suspect was stocky and wearing a grey jumper.

Some of the group left the train when it arrived at Benfleet, and the others remained on the train. Detectives this attack may have followed an earlier altercation that took place at Southend Central Railway Station.

Anyone with information can call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 quoting reference B8/LNA of 06/09/2011. Alternatively, information can be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.