A MAN died instantly when he was hit by a train travelling at about 70mph at Stone Crossing near Dartford.

The driver spotted the victim, a man in his 20s, standing on the middle of the track as the Charing Cross to Gillingham train came around a corner at about 8.15pm on Tuesday.

The driver was unable to stop in time to prevent the tragedy.

A British Transport Police spokesman said the circumstances of the man's death were not suspicious. He added: "He was killed instantly."

The young man, who has not yet been named, was taken to the Darent Valley Hospital mortuary. The track was reopened at about 10.15pm.