Two men electrocuted and killed while on top of moving freight train, police say

Two men who were electrocuted and died on a railway in east London were likely on top of a moving freight train wagon before they died, police have said.

British Transport Police have confirmed a 27-year-old man from Clerkenwell and a 25-year-old man from Aberystwyth died after suffering serious electrical burns between Hackney Wick and Stratford early Thursday morning.

Police said it is likely the two men came in contact with overhead power lines while they were on top of the train.

The bodies of the two men were found separately on the tracks - one at 1am and anther at 2.30am.

The two locations were on the same stretch of track on the Overground line between the two stops, close to the London Stadium

Detective Sergeant David Taylor from British Transport Police, said: “The initial evidence that we’ve been able to gather suggests that both men were on top of a moving freight train wagon, when they came into contact with the overhead power lines.

“Our investigation will continue to examine how and why they came to be on top of this train although there is nothing to indicate that graffiti was involved.”

Police said they are now satisfied they know their identities and their families have been informed.

BTP has urged anyone with information to call them on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016, with reference 23 of 21 March.