A person tragically lost their life after being struck by a train in Leigh-on-Sea. There was significant disruption to rail services in the area throughout the morning.
Emergency services, including the British Transport Police and paramedics, rushed to Leigh-on-Sea railway station early this morning after reports of a casualty on the tracks.
Severe disruption to c2c rail services
The incident, which occurred between Chalkwell and Leigh-on-Sea train stations, caused major delays and cancellations across the c2c rail network. Trains on the Shoeburyness line were brought to a standstill, and passengers faced long waits and uncertainty as emergency crews worked at the scene.
A c2c spokesperson confirmed: “Due to the emergency services dealing with an incident between Chalkwell and Leigh-on-Sea, the Shoeburyness line is blocked. Train services running across the whole c2c network may be cancelled, delayed, or revised.”
To assist affected passengers, c2c advised that tickets could be used on Greater Anglia trains between Southend Victoria and London Liverpool Street.
British Transport Police statement
A spokesperson for the British Transport Police confirmed: “Officers were called to the line near Leigh-on-Sea railway station at around 7.20am today (4 January) following reports of a casualty on the tracks.
“Paramedics also attended, however, sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”
Eyewitness accounts
Reports from local residents suggested that the person may have jumped from a bridge in Leigh-on-Sea, with one witness telling Your Southend: “Someone jumped from the Gypsy Bridge in Leigh-on-Sea this morning. They were seen by a dog walker.”
Many passengers expressed frustration over the delays and lack of communication. One commuter, Ella, shared her experience: “I sat for 25 minutes on a train with no communication other than ‘we’re being held at a red signal’—only for the train to then be cancelled!”
However, others urged patience and understanding. A passenger named Rob commented: “People, you are grown-ups. There are taxis and buses. Adapt and overcome. Deal with it. That’s life.”
Community response and calls for mental health support
The tragic nature of the incident led to an outpouring of condolences from the local community. Paula Quirey expressed her sorrow, saying: “It’s so sad that someone thought this was their only way to find peace or that the world was better off without them. My thoughts are not only with their friends and family but also with the driver and theirs.”
Amy Spiers added: “So sad. Mental health needs to be addressed. The government is failing people with inadequate services.”
Support and resources for mental health
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, there are services available to help:
- For urgent mental health support, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.
- For confidential support during a crisis, or if you need someone to talk to, call Samaritans on 116 123.