Train hits man asleep on tracks in MidWest

A 19-year-old man is lucky to be alive after being struck by a 600-tonne locomotive after apparently falling asleep on train tracks in Western Australia's Mid West region.

The train was travelling through Mullewa in Friday's early hours when the driver saw the man lying on the tracks.

Police say it is believed he may have fallen asleep there.

The driver activated the emergency horn and brakes but the man did not move and the train struck him.

Police believe the stock pusher on the front of the locomotive pushed the man off the tracks and away from the train, saving him from serious injury.

Local officers gave first aid to him before he was taken to Geraldton Hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries.

The train driver was left in shock but not injured.