'Suicide' man stood in front of train

The driver took the train on to Winchester station

A man has been killed instantly after walking onto railway track and standing in front of a speeding passenger train.

The man, believed to be in his 40s, had his arms outstretched seconds before impact, the driver told police.

The incident happened as the South West train came through Micheldever station, Hampshire, at around 2005GMT on Christmas Eve.

It is a tragedy, especially on Christmas Eve

British Transport Police Inspector, Jim Little

A Hampshire Police spokesman said: "It was a suicide where a male actually stood on the track with his arms extended and allowed the oncoming train to run over him."

British Transport Police Inspector Jim Little said the driver applied the emergency brake but failed to stop the train in time.

"It was a terrible incident.

"It is a tragedy, especially on Christmas Eve.

"We are working to identify the man but no details will be released until his next of kin have been informed."

The man's body was taken to the mortuary at Winchester Hospital.

Train delays

The power at the station was switched off and services on the Waterloo to Bournemouth line delayed for two hours

As emergency services dealt with the incident, the driver took the train a further 10 miles to Winchester station.