Railway line blocked after person struck by Cheltenham Festival train near Swindon

UPDATE: Person killed by train carrying 350 passengers to Cheltenham Festival – police statement

A railway line is blocked after a person was struck by a train near Swindon.

Emergency services were called to the serious incident in Purton at around 9am today (15 March).

The train involved is understood to be the Great Western Railway (GWR) service between Paddington and Cheltenham – put on for Cheltenham Festival.

Approximately 350 are believed to be on board the service, which has suffered “significant damage” as a result of the impact.

An update on the GWR website said: “Due to a person hit by a train between Swindon and Gloucester all lines are blocked.

“Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 10:15 15/03.

“CrossCountry are conveying passengers via any reasonable route until further notice.”

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