Man killed after being hit by train near New Forest railway station

A PERSON was killed on the New Forest railway line after being struck by a train in Ashurst.

The casualty, who was confirmed dead at the scene, was a man in his 30s, British Transport Police have confirmed.

Emergency services were sent to the location in Foxhills, just east of the village’s train station, at about midday following reports of a body on the line.

Power was switched off and the route was shut down between Brockenhurst and Southampton while police and ambulances responded to the call.

A spokesperson from British Transport Police said: "Officers were called to an area of rail track in Foxhills, Ashurst, at 11.56am on 16th July following a report of a casualty on the tracks.

“Paramedics also attended but sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious.

“Efforts are underway to identify the person and inform their next of kin. Officers will now prepare a report for the coroner.”

Lines have since reopened but there were warnings that train services in the area would be affected into the afternoon.

South Western Railway said: “Our response teams worked with the emergency services to assist with the incident and normal working can now resume.

“In order to allow emergency services access to the railway, all power to the track had to be switched off causing significant disruption in the area. We will need to make service interventions to manage the delays.”

It added: “Train services running through these stations are returning to normal but some services may still be cancelled, delayed or revised.

“Disruption is expected until 4pm.”

SWR said passengers facing disruption would have their tickets accepted at no extra charge on Yellow Buses route 1 (Poole to Christchurch), as well as GTR, GWR and Cross Country services via any reasonable route.