A man in his 50s has tragically died after being struck by a train.

Emergency services descended on the tracks near Pluckley railway station yesterday at about 5.45pm, on the line between Ashford and Paddock Wood.

A British Transport Police spokesman said the force attended with paramedics, but a man was pronounced dead at the scene.

"This incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner," he said.

Train operator Southeastern warned services in the area would be disrupted, and many were diverted via Maidstone East while emergency services responded.

It tweeted at 7.55pm to say passengers were being rescued from the stranded train.

Emergency services and Network Rail completed their work shortly after 11pm, which meant the line could reopen.