A MAN was killed after he got onto the railway track near Blackburn.

The man, thought to be in his mid-50s, was hit between Cherry Tree and Pleasington by the 4.47am Northern Rail Preston to Colne train in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Police said last night they were still working to identify him and inform his next of kin.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokeswoman said: “BTP officers attended the line near Pleasington station following a report that a man had been struck by a train.

“Officers from BTP and Blackburn police attended the incident, which was reported at 5.13am and is being treated as non-suspicious. Medics from North West Ambulance Service also attended, but the man, thought to be in his mid-fifties and from Blackburn, was pronounced dead at the scene.

“A file will be prepared for the coroner.”

Pleasington councillor Derek Hardman said it was an ‘unfortunate tragedy’.

He said: “It is very sad. Apart from accessing the line from either station it isn’t easy to get on the line.

“They have invested a lot of money putting up high spiked fences to stop this.

“But if somebody wants to get on to the line then there is no stopping them.

“My thoughts go out to this man’s family.”