A MAN was killed when he was hit by a train near Dorchester.

The 65-year-old Dorchester man, who has not yet been named, was killed on tracks near Woodsford level crossing, British Transport Police said.

It is believed he had been walking along the road between West Stafford and Crossways at night-time before he came to be on the line and was hit by a Weymouth-bound South West Trains’ service.

An investigation is being carried out but police say the death is not being treated as suspicious.

Train services on the Weymouth-Waterloo line were delayed while emergency services worked at the scene and conducted an investigation.

Passengers travelling on the train which hit the man were taken off and ferried to their destinations in a fleet of taxis.

Dorset Police and South West Ambulance Service were called to the scene just after 10pm last Friday, where the man was pronounced dead. The train involved was the 9.10pm Bournemouth to Weymouth service.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman said: “I can confirm that BTP officers attended the line near to Woodsford level crossing, in Crossways, Dorchester, on Friday, October 5 following a report of a body on the line.

“The incident, which was reported to the BTP at 10.03pm, was also attended by Dorset Police, and is being treated as non-suspicious.

“Paramedics from South West Ambulance Service attended, but the man, believed to be 65-years-old and from Dorchester, was pronounced dead at the scene.

“A file will be prepared for the coroner.”

A spokesman for South West Trains said: “There was an incident when a person was hit by a train at around 10pm on Friday.

“It did disrupt the service. There were around 20 people on the train who had to be taxied to their destination.

“We then set up a shuttle service for the rest of the night.

“The line was reopened just after midnight when the police gave the all clear.”

The level crossing is around a mile in each direction from the nearest villages of West Stafford and Crossways and is situated on a country road with no lighting or footpath.

It is not overlooked by any houses and residents who live nearby said they were ‘shocked’.

One, who did not wish to be named, said: “No one seems to have seen or heard the actual accident.”

Another added: “The crossing has barriers and lights and everything so it doesn’t seem dangerous.”

Dorchester Councillor Tim Harries said it was a terrible tragedy.

He said: “My thoughts are with the family of this man.

“I have no reason to think the crossing is dangerous – the barriers are there. I would urge people to take great care around railway lines.”

Grim Toll On The Tracks

In August 24-year-old Joseph Silvey died when he attempted to cross the tracks at Dorchester South rail station.

Mr Silvey, from Cheltenham, was electrocuted on the third rail.

A similar tragedy occurred at Upwey three years ago.

In 2009, young dad Theo Slack died when he accidentally fell on to the line at Upwey train station.

Mr Slack, from Bristol, was killed by a 750 volt current and was hit by a train that passed by three minutes later.