Person dies after being hit by train between Hexham and Haydon Bridge as services disrupted

A person has died after being hit by a train on the railway line between Hexham and Haydon Bridge, causing widespread disruption to Northern services across the North East and Cumbria.

Emergency services were called to the tracks at 6.35am on 5 October after reports of a casualty. The person was struck by a train and pronounced dead at the scene, according to British Transport Police.

Rail services affected between Carlisle and Newcastle

All lines were closed while emergency services dealt with the incident. Northern train services were cancelled, delayed or revised, affecting routes between Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Carlisle.

National Rail said disruption between Carlisle and Newcastle was expected to continue until 11am. It warned that trains could be delayed by up to 60 minutes, as well as being cancelled or running on revised routes.

“The emergency services dealing with an incident between Hexham and Carlisle means all lines are currently closed. As a result, trains will be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised.”

The disruption means passengers travelling through Hexham, Haydon Bridge and along the Tyne Valley route may face changes to their planned journeys. Northern customers were told they could travel on the next available service to their destination, where one was running.

Police say incident is not being treated as suspicious

British Transport Police confirmed that a person had lost their life. Officers said the circumstances were not being treated as suspicious and that a file would be prepared for the coroner.

“We were called to the railway line between Hexham and Haydon Bridge at 6.35am on 5 October following reports of a casualty on the tracks. Paramedics also attended, and sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Northern ticket restrictions, including Advance and Peak restrictions, were lifted in the affected areas while the disruption continued. The change applied during the period when services were being cancelled, delayed or revised.

Passengers were advised to check the latest service information before travelling, as the line closure and emergency response affected multiple routes.