A 23-year-old man lost his arm after being hit by a train in a horrific accident at Shoebury railway station.

The accident happened at around 1.30am today (Thursday) as the last train from London Fenchurch Street pulled into Shoebury.

Firefighters from Shoebury and Leigh joined ambulance paramedics to free the man, who was trapped under the train and suffered serious multiple injuries.

Leading firefighter Kevin Playfair at Leigh fire station said: "We were called by the ambulance service and when we arrived there was already a fire crew from Shoebury there.

"The man was under the train around 200 yards from the entrance to the station so we had to cut the railings at the side of the railway line to get to him.

"His arm had been severed above the elbow but he was still conscious and obviously in a lot of pain."

It is not yet known why the man was on the track.

A spokesman for British Transport Police said: "We are obviously investigating the circumstances of this incident.

"We hope to know more when we have taken statements from witnesses and spoken to the man."

By James Howell

Reporter's e-mail: james.howell@notes.newsquest.co.uk

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.