The mainline between Brighton, Gatwick Airport, and London was severely impacted today (May 5).
Southern Rail said that the line was blocked between Haywards Heath and Gatwick this morning after emergency services attended an incident near Balcombe railway station.
The power to the track was turned off and the rail line closed while emergency services attended the incident.
You can follow our ongoing live coverage of the travel disruption here: Live – incident blocks trains between Brighton and London | The Argus
Now, emergency services have confirmed that a person died on the track near to Balcombe railway station.
A spokesperson for South East Coast Ambulance Service said: “South East Coast Ambulance Service was called to reports of a person in need of medical attention on the railway tracks near Balcombe station at approximately 4.20am today (May 5).
“Ambulance crews attended; however, the patient was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.”
The incident is now being investigated by British Transport Police (BTP). A spokesperson for BTP said that “enquiries into the circumstances” of the death are now ongoing.
The spokesperson said: “British Transport Police were called to an area of the line close to Balcombe station at around 4.15am today (May 5) following reports of a casualty on the tracks.
“Officers attended along with paramedics but sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Enquiries are ongoing into the circumstances leading up to their death.”
A customer information poster put over ticket machines at Haywards Heath referenced “severe disruption due to a fatality between Haywards Heath and Gatwick Airport”.
It advised customers to delay travelling if possible.
“Please do not buy your ticket until your train is confirmed as running on the departure boards”, it added.
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