A person has died after being hit by a train carrying 350 passengers to Cheltenham Festival.
The casualty was killed by a Great Western Railway service near the level crossing in Collins Lane, Purton, at around 9am this morning (15 March).
As a result of the collision, the London Paddington to Cheltenham train – put on for Cheltenham Festival – suffered “significant damage”, according to a source.
The line remained blocked until around 11.30am, whilst emergency services worked at the scene and then recovered the damaged train back to Swindon railway station.
The injured person was pronounced dead, with the police declaring the incident “non-suspicious”.
A spokesperson from the British Transport Police said: “Officers were called to the line near Swindon at 9.07am this morning (15 March) following reports of a casualty on the tracks.
“Paramedics also attended, however sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene.
“This incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”
