A MAN died after he was hit by an early morning train in Stratton St Margaret.

Police said the victim, in his early 30s, was killed under a bridge at Ermin Street at about 6.30am on Saturday.

Duty Inspector Andrew Carr of Swindon Police said the investigation was being treated as suicide.

Police also said it was not clear where the man was from.

A bouquet of flowers have been left tied to the railway bridge.

The incident caused major disruption to rail services between Swindon and Didcot Parkway.

It also delayed routes from Gloucester, Bristol Parkway, Reading and London Paddington throughout the morning.

The line was reopened after two hours for normal service to resume.

“A fatality is quite rare in the area,” said Insp Carr. “I’m not aware of this sort of thing happening.

“I know nationwide it does happen, but this is not common place here. It’s an unfortunate incident.”

A First Great Western statement appeared on its website soon after the incident.

It read: “Services between Swindon and Didcot Parkway are being disrupted due to a fatality in the South Marston area. Services are subject to delay, alteration and cancellation.

“Replacement road transport is being organised between Chippenham, Swindon and Didcot Parkway.”

British Transport Police are currently conducting an investigation into how the incident happened.

A spokesman would only confirm there was a fatality and no other official information was given when approached by the Swindon Advertiser yesterday.

The death comes 48 hours after the Adver revealed how passengers narrowly escaped death when vandals dumped concrete blocks on a railway line in Swindon.

A 125mph First Great Western passenger train, carrying up to 750 people, struck the steel reinforced blocks near Stratton Green Bridge, but managed to stay on the rails.

The train was heading to London Paddington from South Wales, but was so badly damaged it could not continue its journey.

None of the culprits has been caught following the incident at 5pm on Monday, July 13.

The potentially fatal incident was just one of four dangerous incidents on Swindon railway lines in a month.

Any information about the fatality or the vandalism can be passed onto police by calling 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.