High speed Eurostar line closed after person hit by train
High speed trains that run between Ashford International and London St Pancras – including Eurostar – were suspended this morning after a person was hit by a train.
The fatal incident occurred near Boxley in Kent. Police and ambulance crews were called towards the end of rush hour.
A British Transport Police spokesman said: "Officers from BTP and Kent Police are attending the incident, which was reported at 9.32am and is currently being treated as non-suspicious.
"Medics from South East Coast Ambulance are also in attendance and a person has been pronounced dead at the scene.
"Officers are now working to identify the person and inform their family. A file will be prepared for the coroner."
The line is expected to be closed “for some time”, National Rail said. Eurostar is offering to exchange tickets or a full refund for people whose trains were cancelled.
Buses are running between Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International, although it was more than an hour after the incident that the first replacement vehicle was able to pick up passengers. The diversion is adding up to 40 minutes to journey times.
Lines reopened at around 2pm, although disruption was expected to continue until at least 2:30pm.
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Southeastern tickets are valid on certain London Underground routes to connect into services from Charing Cross, Victoria and Cannon Street.
A person was also hit by a train in a separate incident this morning near Angmering.