Tragedy as person dies on railway tracks

The death of a person on a railway line just outside Greater Manchester was sadly confirmed by police today. The emergency services response led to a line closure and cancelled services between Manchester Oxford Road, Warrington Central and Liverpool Lime Street.

British Transport Police (BTP) said officers and paramedics were called to Padgate railway station between Birchwood and Warrington just before 3pm on Tuesday. It followed reports of a casualty on the tracks.

BTP said a person was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. The tragedy isn't being treated as suspicious, said a spokesperson, and a file of evidence was being prepared for a coroner. No sex or age has been released.

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In a statement, the force said: "Officers were called to Padgate railway station at 2.51pm today (September 10) to reports of a casualty on the tracks. Paramedics also attended, however sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene.

"The incident is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner."

East Midlands Railway said it was unable to run services through the area between the two stations as a result.

Lines between Warrington Central and Manchester Oxford Road were re-opened at around 4.30pm, the train operating company said.

National Rail said: "As service recovers, trains running between these stations may still be cancelled, delayed by up to 30 minutes or revised." Disruption, however, is expected until 7pm tonight, Tuesday. No further details have been revealed.