A Burnaby teenager who was struck in the head by a train Friday evening is recovering and in stable condition, RCMP say.

The victim, identified as 17-year-old Zack Wyatt, was partying with friends near train tracks around Cariboo Road and Barnett Highway in Burnaby.

He was on the tracks at around 8:30 p.m. when the train appeared, friends said.

“I saw the train and I was like, ‘There’s a train coming, let’s go’” Shana Harris said. “He dropped some stuff and he went to go pick it up, and while he was picking it up the train just wailed him right in the face.”

The teen suffered facial injuries – friends said it looked like he had a hole in his head – and didn’t lose consciousness after he was struck by the train, according to Sgt. Wayne Baier.

He was taken to Royal Columbian Hospital and may be released later today, Baier said.

Burnaby RCMP and CP Railway police have launched a joint investigation into the incident.