11:45am Monday 29th October 2007
By Jenny Makin
AN INVESTIGATION was underway this morning after a man died after falling in front of a train travelling at 100 miles per hour.
British Transport Police officers received a 999 call shortly before 10am following reports that a person had been struck by the train, which was empty and travelling between Basingstoke and Southampton.
The man, who has not been identified, fell in front of the high speed train as it passed through Winchester station. He was declared dead at the scene and the station was closed.
The area is currently being cleared by police and train services running through Winchester have been severely disrupted. The station is expected to remain closed until early this afternoon.
Eight buses were due to arrive at the station at around midday to shuttle stranded passengers between Winchester, Eastleigh and Basingstoke.
A spokesman for the BTP said; "I can confirm a man was struck by a train which was empty stock and being taken from Basingstoke to Southampton. It was going at 100 miles per hour when it struck the man.
"The death is not being treated as suspicious and we are working to identify the deceased and contact his next of kin. A report will be prepared for the coroner."
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