Double rail tragedy: Woman and child killed 'after she dragged toddler in front of a speeding train during morning rush hour'
- Incident happened at Riddlesdown rail station in Purley, Croydon, at 8.30am
- Woman and child hit by the 7.34am Uckfield to London Bridge train
- Train was not due to stop and is believed to have been travelling at 60mph
- Child is believed to be a boy aged around two or three-years-old
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A woman and toddler have both been killed in front of horrified commuters today after she jumped in front of a morning rush hour train pulling the child with her.
The woman is said to have 'dragged' the child, believed to be a boy aged around three-years-old, into the path of an oncoming train Riddlesdown station near Croydon, South London, at around 8.30am this morning.
The 7.34am Uckfield to London Bridge train was not scheduled to stop at the station and is believed to have been travelling at around 60mph.
A rail worker, who did not want to be named, said he had spoken to the shocked driver of the train involved after the incident.
Scene: The train involved in the incident can be seen at a standstill at Riddlesdown train station near Croydon, South London, as emergency services arrive at the scene
The station: Police officers walk along the platform of Riddlesdown station where a woman and child - believed to be a three-year-old boy - were killed by a rush hour train this morning
He said: 'She jumped pulling the kid with her. The driver said she dragged the kid with her as she jumped in front of the train.
'He is pretty shook up as you can imagine. Anyone would be. He is speaking to British Transport Police and then they will send him home.'
British Transport Police said the incident happened at Riddlesdown rail station in Purley, near Croydon, at about 8.30am.
The ambulance service was called but the two victims were confirmed dead at the scene.
Commuter Paul Camlett, 38, said: 'I had just arrived at the station when the station master rounded everyone up and ordered them off the platform. Everyone was oblivious to what had happened.
Tragedy: Yellow markers can be seen along the railway track at Riddlesdown station where witnesses claim the woman dragged a child on to the tracks into the path of an oncoming train
On site: Forensic officers can be seen taking photographs and bagging up evidence at the scene this afternoon
'A woman screamed "there's a body on the track".
'I'm in complete shock. People were crying. They were in complete shock. The woman who screamed just could not speak.'
A spokeswoman for London Ambulance said: 'We were called at 8.30 this morning to reports of two people under a train at Riddlesdown station.
'We sent a responder team in a car, an ambulance crew and officers.
'Sadly a woman and child were pronounced dead at the scene.'
Closed off: Riddlesdown station has been closed to the public while officers carry out an investigation at the scene of the incident
National Rail turned off the electrical supply to the line between Woldingham and South Croydon to enable crews to deal with the incident.
A spokesman for Network Rail said: 'Two people were struck by a train at Riddlesdown station just before 8.30am this morning.
'The line is currently closed and replacement buses are being used.
'British Transport Police are at the station and we will reopen the railway as soon as possible.
'Passengers should check National Rail Enquiries before travelling.'
A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman said: 'BTP officers were called to Riddlesdown rail station in Purley today after a report that a woman and a child had been struck by a train.
The London Ambulance Service attended Riddlesdown Station but the woman and child were pronounced dead at the scene
British Transport Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident at Riddlesdown station
'The incident was reported to BTP at 8.29am and was also attended by Metropolitan Police officers.
'Medics from the London Ambulance Service also attended, but a woman and a child were declared dead at the scene.
'The station has been temporarily closed while officers and medics deal with the incident.
'Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances, and a file will be prepared for the Coroner.'
Cars parked at Riddlesdown Station were today being checked to see if one belonged to the dead woman.
A spokesman for British Transport Police said there was no suggestion that the woman and child had arrived at the station by car, but that it would form part of the investigation.
Sealed off: Two police officers block the entrance to Riddlesdown Station today as forensic experts investigate the platform and tracks
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Simon Taylor added: 'Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the woman and child involved in this tragic incident.
'Officers are continuing to work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident, although early indications show that no one else was believed to have been involved.
'A file will be prepared for the Coroner.'
The station, which falls into the borough of Croydon, was closed and buses are replacing trains between Purley, Oxted and East Grinstead.
Passengers are also being warned journey times to and from the stations listed above, as well as East Grinstead Hurst Green, Upper Warlingham, East Croydon and London Bridge may be 30 minutes longer than usual.
Southern is advising customers travelling from Sanderstead to use Purley Oaks station.
First Capital Connect are accepting Southern tickets on the Thameslink services on reasonable routes.
Commuter belt: Riddlesdown Station is situated in Purley, in the borough of Croydon, South London
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2297428/Riddlesdown-train-station-Double-rail-tragedy-Woman-child-killed-dragged-toddler-speeding-train-morning-rush-hour.html#ixzz2OH7YTNFM
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