Shocked commuters were sent flying through the carriages at around 10am when the train failed to break on time.

A total of 17 ambulances crews and dozens of fire and police officers were called to the scene at Richmond station.

One traveller Brett Saunders described the experience when train hit buffers at the end of the line as “horrifying”.

He said: “I was on [the] platform waiting for it to stop, but it did [not] brake and crashed at full speed into the barrier sending everyone flying like Superman.

“It was insane.”

Disturbing pictures showed pools of blood inside the carriages.

Cops said that five of the 16 taken to a local hospital needed to be treated first on the train.

A 21-year-old man suffered a suspected fractured leg.

Two woman, aged 31 and 77, both suffered a fractured collarbone but most of the injuries were described as cuts and bruises.

Another witness Brett said: “"[The train] came right to the end, probably at about 50 to 70 kilometres an hour, and just smashed right into the barrier.

"I witnessed all the people through the window; they were just flying through the air.

"I was straight onto the train as soon as I seen people were injured.

"Inside the train is like a bloodbath.

“ All the dividers in between the carriages are smashed, completely crushed flat on every single one, that's how fast it was going."