An investigation is underway today after a teenager was killed when hit by a train at a railway crossing in Hampshire.

Paramedics and police rushed to the scene at Junction Road, Totton, shortly before 9pm last night.

The 18-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.

There were huge delays in the area following the incident, which involved a passenger train travelling from Banbury to Bournemouth.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: “Our officers were called to the line close to Totton station, at 8.50pm on Monday, 10 February, after a report a person had been struck by a train.

“Colleagues from Hampshire police and South Central Ambulance Service also attended the incident.

“An 18-year-old man from Christchurch, Dorset, was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The incident is not being treated as suspicious, but a file will be prepared for the coroner.”

A spokesman for South Central Ambulance Service said paramedics were called at 8.56pm to the scene, adding: "Sadly a patient was confirmed deceased at the scene."

The victim was a student at Brockenhurst College.

Principal, Di Roberts, said:"All of our students, past and present, play such an important role in the Brock community and we are so sad to hear of this tragic incident.  We will remember him with respect for his achievements during his time with us."

David Harrison, who represents Totton South at the county council, described the news as "shocking".

He added: "I hope that there will be a thorough investigation as to exactly what happened.
"The train gate has long been an issue for the town, though mainly to do with the congestion it causes and a lot of local people complain about the length of time that the gates are down rather than the opposite.

"Whenever anything like this happens it's really important that any witnesses are contacted and interviewed and that a thorough investigation takes place and that if there are any lessons that can be learmned then the necessary safety measures are employed."

People travelling in the Southampton area faced disruption after the fatal incident, with delays of up to an hour reported.

Trains between Bournemouth and London Waterloo were changed to run between Bournemouth and Brockenhurst and then Southampton Parkway to Waterloo, with buses running between Brockenhurst and Southampton Parkway.

Junction Road resident Malcolm Scott said: "I saw a lot of police cars there, Network rail and the ambulance as well.

Daily Echo:

"It makes you wonder. Why would anyone try to make it across with the barriers coming down.

"It's tragic."

Neighbour Lilian Parkinson said: "It's a shock - it is a great pity."

It comes just three years after residents and local politicians called on rail bosses to make changes to the crossing after fears that there was not enough time for some people to cross before the barriers came down.

However Network Rail decided against extending the 15 second gap between when warning lights started flashing to the barriers going down completely, despite fears that elderly people and people with mobility issues would not have enough time to cross.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 405040.