Overview
- British Transport Police said a person was struck on the line at Hanwell on Wednesday and was pronounced dead at the scene, and the force confirmed the death is not being treated as suspicious with a file to be prepared for the coroner.
- All lines between Reading and London Paddington were closed during the morning peak, causing cancellations and delays to GWR, Elizabeth line and Heathrow Express services and leaving some journeys up to 90 minutes longer.
- The Hanwell death is the latest in a short series of separate rail fatalities and medical emergencies across the region, including a man in his 40s who died after being hit at Bournemouth station on Tuesday and incidents near Ashford (Surrey), Craven Arms and between Southampton and Poole earlier in the week.
- Emergency procedures such as switching off power and blocking lines to allow safe access by paramedics and police amplified disruption, and British Transport Police are investigating each scene while routinely preparing coroner files.
- Operators put passenger measures in place including ticket acceptance on alternative services, Delay Repay and authorised taxi refunds, and Samaritans and other support resources have been signposted for those affected as services recover.