Police investigate man's death at Hungerford rail station

Police trying to trace next of kin following tragedy in early hours

POLICE are trying to trace the family of a man struck and killed by a freight train near Hungerford rail station this morning (Tuesday).

A spokesman for British Transport Police (BTP), who asked not to be named, said: ““BTP were called to the lines close to Hungerford rail station following a report of a man being struck by a train.

“Officers attended the incident, which was reported at 4.28am, alongside Thames Valley Police. Paramedics also attended but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers are working to establish the man's identity and inform his next of kin.”

He added: “The incident is currently being treated as non-suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”

The train involved was the 02:10 freight service from Avonmouth to Didcot and lines were handed back to Network Rail at 5.56am.

Passengers experienced delays of between 30 minutes to an hour prior to this morning's rush hour following the incident.

Services between Westbury and Newbury were suspended and a temporary bus service was in place.

First Great Western spokesman John Ratchford said: "A freight train was on its way to Didcot Power Station when it struck a person at Hungerford. I understand it was non-suspicious. It wasn't a First Great Western train but our trains run on the same line so half a dozen of our services on the same line were disrupted until about 7.30am."

He confirmed that road transport services were put in place for rail services that had to be cancelled.