A blind woman was hit on the head and showered with glass when vandals stoned a busy train.

Fellow passengers were also hurt in the attack near Fishersgate station on Sunday.

Police said someone could have been killed.

Marilyn Baker, 53, had spent the day with a friend in Chichester and was travelling back to her home at Hadlow, near Tonbridge, Kent.

Shortly before 8pm the yobs pelted carriages with stones, shattering windows and injuring travellers.

A defiant Miss Baker said today: "These mindless criminals want to ruin people's confidence but we are not going to be beaten.

"I was very, very shocked at the incident. I was sitting by the window and the trolley had just come round to give us a coffee, which was fortunate as I was leaning forward to drink it.

"My friend Tracy Williamson, who is deaf and partially sighted, was next to me and said she heard an explosive sound. I didn't hear anything I just felt something hit me on the right of my head.

"The rock was about the size of a fist but I didn't know what had happened. I thought someone in the carriage had thrown it.

"A paramedic was in the same carriage and he came over and took control of the situation because I was bleeding.

"Glass had gone in my ear and on my clothes and he got that out.

"My guide dog Giles was in front of me but he was worn out after running on the beach in Chichester and he slept through it all.

"We had to wake him and move him away so he didn't get glass in his paws."

Miss Baker said she did not need stitches and she thanked South Central for paying for a taxi to take her home. Other passengers were transferred to another service at Hove.

Fellow passenger Christopher Kenyon, 29, from south-west London, helped Miss Baker.

He said: "I do not travel the route often and was just down at Goodwood for the day.

"Train staff told me the line is known as Bomb Alley, which indicated this is a common problem.

"I have seen kids throw things before but I've never seen windows smash. Three large rocks were thrown, all of which smashed windows. I don't think anyone saw who threw them because it was pitch black outside."

Sussex Ambulance Service said a crew was sent to Hove station but no one needed hospital treatment.

A spokesman for South Central said: "There have been a couple of incidents along that part of the network where we believe kids have been throwing objects at trains. We are trying to bring in extra security there and are talking with British Transport Police to see what we can do, particularly over the Easter holidays."

Sgt Martin Mace, of British Transport Police, said: "Someone could have been killed.

"We really need to know who these kids are and we want to prevent it before someone is really seriously injured."

Sgt Mace said there had been several similar incidents in the past few weeks near Fishersgate station, usually with ballast from the track bed being thrown.

He said: "The line is fenced off but people can just walk off the end of the platform."

He appealed for witnesses to call 0845 6070999.

South Central Trains is offering a £500 reward for information leading to a prosecution.