A teenager died after being hit by a train after apparently falling from a pedestrian bridge across a railway line.

The death happened just before 5pm yesterday at West Minster, Sheerness, on the Isle of Sheppey .

Passengers on the Sittingbourne to Sheerness train, many school children heading home, are reported to have been kept on the carriages for two hours as rescue services raced to the scene.

British Transport Police have confirmed that officers were called to Queenborough station at 4.44pm yesterday (Wednesday) following reports of a casualty on the tracks.

A spokesman said: "Paramedics also attended, however, sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene."

He added: "This incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner."

British Transport Police confirmed later that the victim was a teenager and male.

Train provider Southeastern added: "We can confirm that that there was an incident in which a person was hit by a train that we were notified of at West Minster at 4.45pm last night."

Services between Sittingbourne and Sheerness-on-Sea were halted until 6.40pm. Emergency buses were introduced for stations including Queenborough, Swale Halt and Kemsley.

A train was later seen under guard by police at the Sheerness station and a police patrol car remained on the site of the tragedy until about 7pm last night.

A fire crew was also called. A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called at 5.07pm to assist British Transport Police and Kent Police in Queensway, Sheerness. One fire engine attended."

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