Death on the tracks
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A MAN was killed along the main railway line at Carlyon Bay on Tuesday morning after he was hit by a High Speed Train.The victim, who has not been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the accident, which happened at about 6am.
The British Transport Police do not believe anyone else was involved in the collision and are not treating the incident as suspicious at this time.
The driver of the First Great Western 5.05am train from Penzance to Paddington reported to his control room that he had struck a person along the line at Cypress Avenue.
The train was stopped immediately and remained at a standstill while the accident was investigated. Passengers, many on their way to work, were given refreshments while the train was delayed.
The driver was replaced and the police allowed the train to carry on its journey one and a half hours later.
First Great Western and CrossCountry trains were delayed by an hour between Penzance and Plymouth. Normal services were able to resume shortly after 8am.
A British Transport Police spokesman said: “Police attended the line at Cypress Avenue, Carlyon Bay after a report that a man had been struck by a train.
“The incident, which was reported to police at 6.09am, is currently being treated as non-suspicious.
“Paramedics from the South West Ambulance Service also attended but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the man's identity and a file will be prepared for the coroner. The railway line was handed back to Network Rail at 8.10am.”
Dan Panes from First Great Western said: “We can confirm a person was struck by one of our trains this morning. The police are investigating and our thoughts at this moment are with the victim and the driver of the train involved.
“It takes a train travelling at 125 mph a mile and a half to stop. Railways are very dangerous places and people really should not go near them.
“Following a collision trains are stopped immediately and as soon as we were aware the police are notified.
“The driver waits for emergency services to arrive so that the scene can be investigated.
“The police make the decision whether the train can be released and can continue to the next station.
“This did not happen particularly swiftly on this occasion. The train was at a standstill for one and a half hours. The driver is swapped before the train carries on its journey.
“Although only one train was involved in the accident there is a knock on effect for other services because trains cannot pass while the emergency services are investigating the circumstances.
“There were quite a few people on the train. Many were on their way to work. It is one of the first trains from the West Country in the morning. We looked after the passengers as much as possible. We were able to run trains through the area just after 8am.”
