A PERSON has died after being hit by a train in Dorset, as passengers caught up in the disruption expressed their sorrow for the victim's loved ones.

Train services between Weymouth and Bournemouth were stopped for more than three hours while emergency services attended the scene of the tragedy.

Officers from British Transport Police were called to the railway line near Wool at 1.47pm yesterday.

Emergency services, including firefighters, ambulance crews and an air ambulance, also raced to the scene.

A spokesman for British Transport Police confirmed a person was pronounced dead at the scene. He added the incident is not being treated as suspicious.

Dorset Echo: Train services were delayed and heavily affected after a person was fatally hit by a train.Train services were delayed and heavily affected after a person was fatally hit by a train.

He said: "British Transport Police were called to the line near Wool, Dorset, at 1.47pm today (August 9) following reports of a casualty on the tracks.

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

"Officers are working to identify the deceased and inform their next of kin.

"This incident is not being treated as suspicious."

The incident caused delays on train services between Weymouth and Bournemouth, with commuters and travellers required to catch replacement bus services to bypass the railway closure.

Train services started running again at around 5pm but passengers were warned of delays continuing to late evening.

One passenger said the delays to services were ‘insignificant’ after a person had lost their life.

They said: “My thoughts go out to the person’s family and friends. I hope they get the support they require in such a sad time.”

Another person described it as a ‘very sad incident’ and added: “I’m feeling for the driver, families and passengers who were there.”

South Western Railway arranged replacement buses to run between Dorchester South and Wareham. Passengers were advised to use GWR services to travel from Dorchester West to Weymouth.

One traveller said there were ‘mixed messages’ about how to travel to Weymouth and whether they could get a replacement coach.

A SWR spokesman said at the time of the incident: “Due to the emergency services dealing with an incident on the railway, trains are unable to run between Weymouth and Wareham.

"Services due to run between London Waterloo and Weymouth are currently starting and terminating at Wareham.

“Replacement road transport has been requested, and will run between Wareham and Weymouth.

“Tickets will be accepted, at no extra cost to customers, on Great Western Railway services between Weymouth and Southampton Central via Westbury in both directions.

“We are sorry for any inconvenience caused to our customers.”

  • If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article, you can contact Dorset Mind via www.dorsetmind.uk or call 01202 315329 or speak to Samaritans via www.samartians.org and call 116 123