Man struck by train near Norwich

David BaleA middle-aged man from the Dereham area died after being struck by a train at a level crossing near NorwichDavid Bale

A middle-aged man from the Dereham area died after being struck by a train at a level crossing near Norwich.

The incident involved a train travelling from Ipswich to Norwich and was reported to police just after 8pm on Sunday.

It is not being treated as suspicious and inquiries to identify the man are ongoing, a spokesman for the British Transport Police said.

Last year the Evening News reported that five people had been killed at level crossings in the Norwich area since 2005 with three deaths at the Swainsthorpe crossing.

A BTP spokesman said: 'British Transport Police can confirm that a man died after being struck by a train at Swainsthorpe crossing, on Sunday.

'BTP officers attended the scene alongside local officers and paramedics from the East of England Ambulance Service. The incident is not being treated as suspicious.

'The railway line was handed back to Network Rail at 10.55 pm.

'The deceased is believed to be a middle-aged man from the Dereham area.

'Enquiries to formally identify the man are ongoing and a file will be prepared for the coroner.'

An East of England Ambulance Service spokeswoman said it was called at 8.12pm to Church Road, Swainsthorpe.

A spokeswoman for National Express East Anglia said its services were affected from about 8.15pm to 11pm. The spokeswoman said it was an empty train with no passengers on board. Buses replaced trains between Diss and Norwich until about 11pm, she said.