A review into emergency procedures is taking place after a man was found dead on the railway tracks near Shepherdswell.

British Transport Police confirmed that there was a delay "due to prioritisation by the control room" before medical assistance arrived.

The man who died on the railway tracks near Shepherdswell on Tuesday was a 33-year-old from Aylesham.

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Rail services between Dover and Canterbury East were halted for several hours following the discovery of a body in the Lydden tunnel.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman said: "We were called to the line near to Shepherdswell station, Kent at 10.44am on Tuesday, January 26, following reports of a body on the tracks.

“BTP officers, along with colleagues from Kent Police, found a body in a nearby tunnel. The first officer to attend arrived at 11.23am and immediately requested our control room to call for a qualified medical practitioner to certify death.

"As a result of an error in prioritisation by the control room, the local ambulance service was notified at 12.18pm.

“South East Coast Ambulance Service medics responded promptly to our call and attended the scene, where a 33-year-old man from Aylesham was pronounced dead.

“A review of procedures has taken place and immediate measures have been implemented to mitigate against any similar delay in contacting other emergency services or agencies.

VIDEO: Body found in railway tunnel. Ben Kennedy reports

“Officers are now working to establish how the man came to be on the tracks. His family have been informed and the incident is not being treated as suspicious.

“A file will be prepared for the coroner.”

Buses replaced trains until the line reopened just before 3pm on Tuesday.