18-year-old soldier killed on Manchester railway line

A young man who died on a railway line in south Manchester was a solider in the Army, according to reports.

He was one of two men from Catterick Garrison who died over the weekend.

The 18-year-old man was found on railway tracks in Wythenshawe on Sunday afternoon, the BBC says.

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It is thought the incident occurred on the line near Southmoor Road. He was pronounced dead at the scene, British Transport Police said.

Pictures from the scene showed a halted train and what appeared to be forensics officers on the line.

Trains between Stockport and Altrincham were cancelled for around three hours following the incident.

It was the first of two tragic deaths on Greater Manchester's railways on Sunday, after a man was also killed on the railway line at Smithy Bridge in Rochdale. A BTP spokesman said neither death was suspicious.

In a separate incident, police were called to the army base in North Yorkshire at 5am on Saturday after receiving reports of the “sudden death” of a 33-year-old man.

The two soldiers are reported to have been serving with different units.

An Army spokesperson said: “It is with great sadness that we can confirm the death of two soldiers.

“Our thoughts are with the families and friends of both soldiers and we ask that their privacy is respected at this sad and difficult time.

“The deaths, which took place at Catterick Garrison and Manchester, are not connected.”

Police said they were assisting in preparing reports for the coroner.

Catterick Garrison is the largest in Britain and home to more than 13,000 Armed Forces personnel.

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