A MAN was killed after he was hit by a train in front of horrified passengers this morning.

The man, in his fifties, is believed to have jumped in front of the passenger train, at Durham railway station, at around 10 am.

Police and ambulance crews in the city were called to the station after reports that the victim had jumped from platform one.

British Transport Police arrived at the scene and supervised the removal of the body, which was taken to the University Hospital, Durham.

The station was closed for around two hours while police carried out an investigation.

Efforts are being made to contact the man's family and his name has not yet been released by police. He is thought to be from the Durham area.

Police officers do not know where the train was heading or at what speed but it was not scheduled to stop at Durham railway station.

Statements are being taken from passengers by transport police officers.

They are not treating the man's death as suspicious.