Woman attacked, racially abused on Melbourne train

A Muslim woman has been beaten and pushed off a moving train in a horrific racially motivated attack in Melbourne.

The 26-year-old victim was catching an outbound train on Thursday when another woman approached her and made racist remarks.

The attacker then grabbed the woman by the neck and hair and slammed her head into the hand-rails near the doors, in front of a packed carriage.

When the train pulled into Batman station, the attacker shoved the victim out of the doors and onto the platform.

Police said the victim was utterly distraught.

"An assault like this has a massive effect on the victim," Detective Senior Constable Michael Potter said.

"It's totally unacceptable."

The attacker has been described as Caucasian, 177cm tall, of a solid build, with short brown hair and light-coloured eyebrows.

At the time she was wearing a puffy black hooded top, baggy jeans and running shoes.

The attack was captured on CCTV and police are investigating the footage.