A MAN died after he was hit by a train in Malvern late on Monday night.

The fatality happened just south of Great Malvern station, on the stretch of line between the station and the bridge over Thirlstane Road.

The First Great Western train was out of service at the time of the fatality, with no passengers aboard.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: “We were called to the rail line close to Great Malvern station at 11.23pm on Monday, following a report that a person had been struck by a train.

“Officers from BTP and West Mercia Police attended the location, alongside colleagues from the ambulance service. A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Officers are currently working to identify the man and inform his family. The incident is currently not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”

The train, one of First Great Western's High Speed Train units, had come from London Paddington and had terminated at Great Malvern at just after 11pm.

When the train was in collision with the man, it was being moved prior to returning to the sidings at Worcester Shrub Hill where it was due to be parked for the night.

As a result, the 5.11am Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington service on Tuesday morning was cancelled.

The line at Malvern was closed until 1.10am on Tuesday, but this is not thought to have had an effect on passenger services, which do not run at that time of night.