The victim, understood to be from the north Down area, suffered serious head and chest injuries after an accident on the Bangor to Belfast railway line just before 6.20pm yesterday.

He was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital in a critical condition and fought for his life overnight.

This morning a spokesman for the RVH confirmed his condition had improved. It is believed the man was struck by a train close to Cultra station.

Police and rail company Translink last night launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident and to establish how the man came to be on the track.

No passengers were injured but the train driver suffered serious shock. Rail services were halted and passengers were taken to their destination by bus.

North Down UUP councillor Diana Peacocke lives close to the station and regularly uses Cultra station.

"My heart goes out to the family of this young man," she told the Belfast Telegraph.