A man has died after being struck by a train in north Dorset.

Emergency services were called to the line in Sherborne shortly before 6pm yesterday, July 31, following reports of a casualty on the tracks.

British Transport Police has confirmed a man was pronounced dead at the scene though the incident was not being treated as suspicious.

As reported, a heavy emergency service presence was seen attending the incident with police, fire, ambulance and air ambulance crews all involved.

A critical care car, two double-crewed ambulances and an air ambulance were sent to the scene.

South Western Railway confirmed that, at around 5.49pm yesterday, an individual had been “struck by a train between Salisbury and Yeovil Junction.”

Witnesses reported the incident occurred near the level crossing at Sherborne train station.

Lines re-opened shortly after 8pm and a spokesperson for South Western Railway said: “If you or someone close to you has been affected there is always someone to talk to. 

“Call Samaritans on 116 123 free at any time, on any phone. Help & advice is only a phone call away.

“We work closely with Samaritans & support the brilliant work they do.”

A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: “We were called at 17.52hrs on Sunday 31 July to an incident in the Sherborne area. We sent an operations officer, a critical care car, two double-crewed land ambulances and an air ambulance”.

A spokesperson for British Transport Police said: ‘British Transport Police were called to the line in Sherborne at 5.49pm yesterday (31 July) following reports of a casualty on the tracks.

"Paramedics also attended, however sadly a man was pronounced dead at the scene.

"The incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner."