A MAN has died after being hit by a train near Pokesdown.

The British Transport Police (BTP) was alerted to the incident at around 9.20pm on Monday by Network Rail, and Dorset Police and South West Ambulance Service all went to the scene.

Emergency crews used Warnford Road to access the track, where the driver of a CrossCountry train had reported hitting a person.

Sgt Derek Bish of BTP said: "A male in his late 50s/early 60s has been struck by a train and has died.

"We are not treating this as suspicious."

He said the identity of the dead man was not known.

Residents said they had heard a loud bang and furniture shook. Chris Daines, 46, said: "I don't normally notice the trains, it sounded like it derailed."

The line was closed between Pokesdown and Christchurch and South West Trains warned services would be cancelled, delayed or changed.

At 11.15pm, South West Trains reported that the line was in operation again and the first train heading for Weymouth had just left Brockenhurst.

Sgt Bish urged anyone with information to call the control room on 0800 40 50 40.