A man has been charged after allegedly assaulting three people – including an elderly woman – before being restrained by commuters on a train at Hawthorn.

Witnesses have described the scenes as chaotic and horrific.

A man was seen acting erratically before allegedly assaulting a 73-year-old woman on a train at Hawthorn Station just before 4pm on Thursday.

Witness, Vi Cao, says several people intervened, a 14-year-old boy and 54-year-old man were also allegedly assaulted.

The elderly woman is in a stable condition in hospital.

A 41-year-old Tullamarine man has spent the night in custody and has been charged with multiple offences including intentionally cause injury, reckless conduct endangering life and committing an offence whilst on bail.