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Trains cancelled between Tonbridge and Paddock Wood after body found on tracks with all lines blocked

08:14, 20 February 2020

updated: 10:44, 25 February 2020

Trains were cancelled after the body of a man in his 60s was found on the tracks this morning.

The grim discovery was made by a driver at around 7.30am between Tonbridge and Paddock Wood, resulting in all lines being blocked.

Police and ambulance at the scene. Picture: UKNIP
Police and ambulance at the scene. Picture: UKNIP
Officers have blocked off Postern Lane. Picture: UKNIP
Officers have blocked off Postern Lane. Picture: UKNIP

It is understood the man's death is not being treated as suspicious.

All trains in the Tonbridge area were delayed, revised or cancelled until around 11am.

It is understood a train from Charing Cross to Ramsgate with around 50 people on board was stranded after the discovery and has now been driven back to Paddock Wood.

Services could not run between Ashford and Tonbridge and some were diverted via Maidstone East. Replacement buses were also arranged.

Southeastern said at the time: "The police hope to be able to allow us to re-open the line between Paddock Wood and Tonbridge at 11am.

Emergency services are at the scene. Picture: UKNIP
Emergency services are at the scene. Picture: UKNIP

"The first train from Tonbridge towards Ashford should be the 11:22 service.

"The first train Paddock Wood towards Tonbridge should be the 11:00 service."

Emergency services are at the scene which is near a bridge on Postern Lane.

A South East Coast Ambulance Service spokesman said: "I can confirm ambulance crews attended and that sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene."

A British Transport Police spokesman said: “Officers were called at 7.23am to an area of railway in the Tonbridge area following a report of a casualty on the tracks.

"Sadly, a person has been pronounced dead at the scene.

Police and rail officials at the scene

"Officers are in the process of establishing how they came to be on the tracks.”

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