Train delays: Gatwick Express, Southern Rail and Thameslink all blocked towards Brighton after man hit by train at Hassocks

A man has died after being hit by a train near to Brighton, in an incident which led to all lines being blocked between the capital and the seaside town on Thursday.

The incident happened at 3.28pm on Thursday at Hassocks, near Brighton, and British Transport Police was called to the scene.

A BTP representative said: "BTP officers were called to the line near to Hassocks on Thursday, 18 October following a report of a person being struck by a train.

"Officers from BTP attended the incident, which was reported to police at 3:28pm, and the body of a man was discovered.

"Enquiries are continuing to establish the identity of the man and the circumstances leading up to their death.

"The incident is currently being treated as unexplained."

Shortly before 7pm all lines reopened following the incident.

An update from National Rail said: "All lines have now reopened as emergency services have tended to the person who was unfortunately hit by a train.

"However, trains running between Haywards Heath and Brighton may still be cancelled or delayed by up tp 30 minutes."

A prior update from the Gatwick Express said its services as well as Southern and Thameslink trains were affected, as services were unable to run between Haywards Heath and Brighton.

It said: "Where possible, Southern and Thameslink services will be diverted to run between Three Bridges / Haywards Heath and Brighton via Lewes or Horsham. Some services will terminate at either Three Bridges or Haywards Heath and begin their next journeys back towards London from there."

An update from National Rail, at 6.30pm, stated that disruption is expected until the end of service.

Rail replacement buses were put in place between Haywards Heath and Brighton serving all stations, though these are not running to a timetable and are the control of local station staff.