ROSTOV-ON-DON, October 22 (RIA Novosti) - A train conductor in the south of Russia has been charged with throwing a ticketless passenger off a train while it was travelling at over 70 km/h.

The man was hospitalized with multiple fractures and head injuries.

The train, heading from the southern Russian resort of Adler to Russia's second city of St. Petersburg, was in the Rostov Region when the incident occurred.

According to authorities, the conductor had earlier taken the passenger on board without a ticket, started drinking with him, and then after an argument decided to forcibly eject him from the carriage.

"The train was moving at 74 km/h [46 mph] when the passenger fell out of the train," prosecutors said, adding that he "could have died."

The incident took place on October 5, but charges have only just been filed. The conductor has admitted his guilt and is now out on bail awaiting trial.