A 22-year-old man died hours after being found collapsed next to the railway line at Nelson.

Today police named him as Gary Elliott, of no fixed address.

A train driver reported to British Transport Police that a man was next to the track near to Chaffer's Crossing, Barkerhouse Road, shortly before 8am on Saturday.

Detective Sergeant Mark Grey said: "The man was unconscious but alive and was taken to Burnley General Hospital for emergency treatment, but he died at 2.45pm. He had not been struck by a train." He added there were no suspicious circumstances.

Police said Mr Elliott's family lived locally and he had friends in Colne.

East Lancashire coroner David Smith has been informed.

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