Man dies after being hit by train at Gillingham station

Gillingham railway station was closed on Wednesday after a person was hit by a train and died.

The line between Rochester and Rainham was closed from around 2pm as British Transport Police responded to “a casualty on the tracks”. Power was completely shut off to the line, according to Southeastern Railway staff.

A train could be seen at the eastern end of Gillingham station, surrounded by railway staff and emergency crews, and dozens of emergency vehicles were at the scene, including police cars and ambulances.

Heavy crowds built up across the area and at London Victoria as trains were cancelled and terminated early. The line partially re-opened at around 3pm, but the station remained closed, and disruption continued into the evening.

Some Twitter users were quick to vent their frustration about the closure and Southeastern Railway staff told users to “show a little respect”.

“Someone has been killed on the railway,” they said. “We will do all we can to get you home, but abuse will not be tollerated [sic].”

Tickets were being accepted on local bus routes, including the 120 and the 191 routes through the Medway towns.