A WOMAN has died after being hit by a train in Southampton.

Emergency services were called to the scene of the tragic incident at Bitterne Train Station at 11.43am on Tuesday and witnesses reported seeing a number of police cars arriving and a helicopter landing nearby.

British Transport Police officers attended the scene and South Central Ambulance Service sent an an air ambulance, an ambulance crew, an ambulance officer and a hazardous area response team, but the woman was pronounced dead.

A British Transport Police spokeswoman said: "We were called to Bitterne Station in Southampton at 11.43am following reports that a person had been hit by a train.

"Officers worked alongside colleagues from South Central Ambulance Service and a woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Officers are working to identify the woman and inform her family.

"The incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner."

The line, which runs between Southampton Central station and Fareham Station, was closed while emergency services dealt with the incident.

Disruption was reported and witnesses reported seeing a high level of police activity in the area, while travellers were advised to find alternative routes during the line closure.

A man, who did not want to be named, told the Daily Echo: "I only saw the helicopter come down and then the police came.

"That was a few hours ago, but nobody told us what had happened."

The woman's identity has not yet been released and a South Central Ambulance Service spokeswoman could not confirm her age or where she was from.

The spokeswoman said: "We were called to reports of a person having been struck by a train and there was a woman who unfortunately was deceased at the scene."

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Hampshire Constabulary on 101 and anyone affected can call Samaritans confidentially on 08457 909090.