An investigation has been launched after a man was hit by a train in Teynham.

Police were called to the railway station at 5pm yesterday and the man, who has not been identified, was declared dead at the scene.

A British Transport Police spokesman said Kent Police and medics also attended and an inquiry was under way.

He added: “The incident is currently being treated as non-suspicious and a file will be prepared for
the coroner.

“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the identity of the man and inform his family.”

News of the tragedy came as a shock to villagers. A young mum, who did not want to be named, said: “You just never know what caused something like that.

“It’s coming up to Christmas, which is a hard time for a lot of people. You just don’t know.”

The train involved was the 3.55pm St Pancras to Faversham high-speed service.

No trains were able to pass through the station until 6.25pm.

Eve Charles, 63, of Honeyball Walk, Teynham, said she was shocked to have heard what had happened.

She said the first she knew of it was when her son-in-law, who commutes to London for work, rang to say he would be delayed getting home.

“My granddaughter was waiting for a special treat because she’d passed her 11-plus.

“He didn’t get back until really late. He didn’t know what had happened at the time.”