A PERSON has died after being hit by a train near Southampton.

Passengers faced severe disruption on rail services on Saturday evening after the incident at Swaythling.

Emergency services were called to the line between Eastleigh and Southampton Central, but now a British Transport Police spokesperson has confirmed the person has died.

All lines were blocked, with trains either cancelled or severely delayed.
The incident occurred shortly after 9.15pm with delays continuing into the night.

A South Western Railway spokesperson said: “We’re sorry for the disruption caused to passengers’ journeys last night in the Southampton area following a person being struck by a train at Swaythling.

"Train services in the area were suspended while the emergency services were in attendance.

"Unfortunately, disruption to train services continued late into the evening, but replacement buses and ticket acceptance with other train operators ensured people could get to their destinations.”

The spokesperson had earlier said that the power supply had been isolated "in order that the emergency services may conduct their work safely".

The line was reopened shortly after 11.15pm.