South Essex rail services were plunged into crisis after a man was hit by a train at Basildon station.

The victim, 38, was taken to Basildon Hospital suffering serious injuries but died 30 minutes later.

Eye witnesses said the man lay on the tracks before an on coming train at around 3.30pm yesterday.

Trains between Basildon and Shoebury were later cancelled for around three hours causing rush-hour chaos for thousands of commuters.

Later services were also delayed.

The train had been slowing down to come into the station and was travelling at about 20mph when it hit the man.

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