Transport police were today beginning investigations into how a woman died and a man was injured at a Colchester level crossing.
The pair were struck by the Clacton-bound train at the Hythe crossing just before 8pm yesterday.
A passer-by alerted the police, and they attended with ambulance, fire and British Transport Police, closing Hythe Station Road for around three hours.
Passengers were taken from the train and completed their journey by bus.
Commuter Mick Richmond, of Thorpe-le-Soken, said: "The train came to a sudden halt and I realised something was wrong.
"There weren't any announcements, but after about 30 minutes a police officer and a train company representative came through the train, telling everyone what happened."
Insp John Wolstenholme said: "The woman has died and we are in the process of contacting her relatives.
"The man is alive and is believed to have suffered non-life-threatening injuries."
He added the incident was not being treated as suspicious.
- More in today's Gazette
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