A TRAIN company says it is “heartbroken” by the death of a train driver who was killed at a railway station.

Emergency services were called to West Worthing station after a body was found at around 9pm on Tuesday, February 1.

Southern Rail has since confirmed the man was a train driver.

Angie Doll, Managing Director of Southern Rail, said: “We are devastated to confirm that one of our train drivers was pronounced dead at West Worthing station on 1 February.

“At this unimaginably difficult time, I offer my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. Everyone in our railway family is heartbroken by the loss of one of our own.

“Our full focus is on working closely with the British Transport Police to establish exactly what circumstances led to such a tragedy.”

It is believed that the driver of the train got out of his cab before an express train passed through the station.

It is thought he was hit by the train just before 9pm.

All train lines were closed in the area while the emergency services dealt with the incident.

A spokesman for the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) confirmed they are investigating the incident.

“RAIB has deployed a team of inspectors to the site of an accident which occurred on Tuesday evening near West Worthing Station," he said.

Pictures from the scene show a cordoned off area around a train.

A number of police cars, police officers and rail incident officers were also pictured at the station.

"British Transport Police (BTP) were called to West Worthing station at 9.03pm following reports of a casualty on the tracks,” a BTP spokesman previously said.

"Paramedics also attended and sadly a man was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Officers are currently working to establish the full circumstances behind their death."

At around 9pm last night, Southern Rail said it had received reports of a "trespasser" in the Worthing area.

There was disruption to services late into the night.

Writing on Twitter, Southern Rail said: “We've just received reports of a trespasser in the Worthing area.

“As a safety precaution, the electricity that powers the line has been switched off.

“Services will be disrupted in either direction, so please allow extra time for travel.”

Trains running between Littlehampton and London Bridge were first diverted via Horsham, before all lines were shut.

At 10pm, Southern Rail announced that the line between Brighton, Hove, Worthing and Angmering was shut.

“Please avoid travel where possible, or consider making your own travel arrangements.

“Unfortunately, our suppliers have been unable to source any buses, and as such we are not providing this service.

“Station staff are booking taxis for onward travel. If you're at an unmanned station, please DM us or use station help points.”

The lines were reopened by 6am today.