The potential consequences could be fairly horrendous

Ciaran Rogan Translink

"The drivers are shocked and disgusted that this is the third incident on the Bangor line we have had over the past year," he said.

"The management and ourselves have had talks on the issue of protecting windows on the trains and these talks are ongoing.

"People's lives are at risk and somebody is going to be killed."

The driver was taken to Belfast City Hospital with extensive cuts to his face.

Ciaran Rogan of Translink, said it was a deplorable attack.

Horrendous

"The job the drivers do is difficult enough at the best of times but the potential consequences are fairly horrific," he said.

"Thankfully, the driver was able to bring the train to a fairly speedy halt.

"But one can only imagine if the train went out of control or went through a red signal as the result of such an injury.

"The potential consequences could be fairly horrendous."

Last year, there were a number of attacks on trains in the province, which Translink described as "worrying".

Police said a train could have been derailed following an attack by youths in Belfast last June.

Pipes, poles and a concrete slab were piled onto the line at Bridge End in the east of the city.

In a separate incident, two people were injured in County Londonderry when children broke windows in a passing train.