The student accused of not paying his rail fare who was filmed being manhandled off a train by a fellow passenger has hit back, insisting he did have a ticket.Sam Main, 19, from Falkirk, became an unwitting internet hit when the video of him being thrown off a ScotRail train was posted on YouTube.


The footage shows the student arguing with a conductor before another passenger intervenes to remove him. It has now had almost 1m views on the website.

Mr Main, who is studying surveying at Heriot-Watt University, was grabbed by a man identified in reports as Alan Pollock and forced out.

In the video, the student is seen trying to get back on to the train and complaining that his belongings are still on board as Mr Pollock is applauded by other passengers.

It has now emerged that Mr Main's family may take legal action against Mr Pollock after the teenager was injured in the tussle.



Student Sam Main shows his injuries after the altercation



Mr Main claims he did buy a ticket for the journey on the Edinburgh to Perth service on December 9.

He says he was sold two singles in the same direction by mistake after buying separate tickets to save money.

"I had been out celebrating after an exam and I was half asleep on the train. I did have a ticket but I must have handed over the wrong one to the conductor," he is quoted as saying.

"The next thing I know this big guy is manhandling me to the door and throwing me off. I landed on my face and I have cuts all over my cheek and legs."

Before the video became popular on the web, Mr Main appeared more amused by it - writing on Facebook on Sunday: "There's a video of me on youtube hahahahaha! Scotrail no ticket ;)"

His father Lenny has told reporters he wants Mr Pollock to be charged over the incident.

"This big guy has basically thrown him head-first on to the platform. Sam's landed on his face and has a big graze," he said, according to the Daily Record.

"He's tried to get back in the carriage to get his bag. He's diabetic and all his things were in that bag - his medication, his university notes, his money, his mobile phone and his iPod but he's been thrown off again.

"This man has to be charged and have his day in court. He had no right to do what he did. If I was him, I'd expect to be charged."

British Transport Police have refused to discuss the case but a spokesman said: "A complaint has been received and inquiries are ongoing into the incident."

ScotRail has also said it is investigating and warned against passengers becoming involved in altercations between other travellers and its staff.

"While we welcome the public's support of our zero-tolerance stance on anti-social behaviour, our staff are trained in conflict management and we do not expect members of the public to take matters into their own hands," a spokesman said.

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