East Croydon station: Major delays on Christmas Eve after dead body found on tracks

Police are investigating after a dead body was found on railway tracks in South London on Christmas Eve morning. Emergency services were called to reports of a person being hit by a train near East Croydon station shortly after 9am.

A spokesman for British Transport Police (BTP) said the person was pronounced dead at the scene and officers were now working to identify the individual "and establish how they came to be on the tracks".

They added that the death was currently being treated as "unexplained", with the London Ambulance Service (LAS) saying they were called "to reports of a person being hit by a train".

Bystanders said there was a significant police presence at the station. A video showed an air ambulance taking off nearby, having also been called to the scene.

A spokesman for Network Rail warned the railway line running through East Croydon is currently blocked, with services suffering major delays. They said anyone intending to travel should check alternative routes.

A spokesman for BTP said: "BTP is currently in attendance with colleagues from London Ambulance Service, and a person has been pronounced dead at the scene. Officers are now working to identify the person and establish how they came to be on the tracks and receive their injuries. The incident is currently being treated as unexplained."

An LAS spokeswoman said: "We were called at 9.06am to reports of a person being hit by a train at East Croydon station. Our crew remain on scene."