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Eurostar and high speed services between Ashford and Ebbsfleet International affected after death reported between Bearsted and Lenham

Rail services are getting back to normal after a person was hit and killed by a train.

The death happened at 11.42am on the tracks in Crismill Lane between Bearsted and Lenham.

Eurostar and Southeastern's high-speed services between Ashford and Ebbsfleet International were disrupted until 4.30pm.

The fatality happened in Crismill Lane
The fatality happened in Crismill Lane

A Southeastern spokesman confirmed that both tracks have now re-opened after trains were suspended for most of the day - but delays are still expected.

He added while domestic (non high-speed) trains had been running normally, passengers should expect congestion as more people might be travelling on these services.

British Transport Police and other emergency services were at the scene today.

A BTP spokesman said: "Our officers were called to the line close to Crismill Lane in Bearsted on Monday, 2 March, following a report that a person had been hit by a train.

"BTP and Kent Police officers attended the incident, which was reported to BTP at 11.42am, and is currently being treated as non-suspicious.

"Medics from South East Coast Ambulance Service also attended the incident, but the person was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Officers are currently working to establish the identity of the person and how they came to be on the tracks.

A file will be prepared for the coroner."

Shuttle buses were available around the Kent coast while the suspensions were in place.

The fatality also affected the high speed train from Maidstone West as it was unable to use tracks around Ebbsfleet International which were closed. This service is now running normally.

The rail operator was also forced to put on replacement buses between Rochester and Gravesend this morning after a train hit an obstruction near Higham.

A spokesman said the train struck a cover which had fallen off a freight train at 5.30am in the Strood tunnel.

Services were delayed and even cancelled after the train was damaged as a result.

The line was reopened at 9.30am.

Commuters can claim compensation if their journey was delayed by more than 30 minutes.


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