COMMUTES were brought to a halt after a man fell from a bridge onto train tracks this afternoon.

Train services through Southend East station were suspended after a man fell from a bridge onto the tracks.

A spokesman for British Transport Police confirmed they were called to reports that a man had jumped or fallen onto the train tracks at about 3.30pm.

The ambulance service dispatched an ambulance crew, an officer, the hazardous area response team and the air ambulance.

The patient was treated at the scene before being taken by ambulance to the aircraft which had to land a fair distance away as there was no where safe near the station.

c2c, who operates the line that runs through Southend East to Shoebury, warned passengers to expect delays due to “trespassers on the railway”.
 

In a statement on its website, the train operator said: “Due to trespassers on the line at Southend East trains are currently suspended between Southend Central and Shoebury.

“C2C tickets will be accepted on Greater Anglia services between London and Liverpool Street and Southend Victoria and also on Arriva Bus services between Southend Travel Centre and Shoebury.”

However, several people took to twitter to report a man lying unconscious on the tracks.

One user, Dawn Shankland, tweeted: “My son has just said that someone is unconscious on the line. There are still no trains.”
 

One witness, who asked not to be named, said: I saw a man lying injured on the tracks and paramedics were treating him. They managed to get him off the tracks at about 4.45. He looked really seriously injured though. They rushed him off in an ambulance. I hope he is ok.”

The line reopened at 5.30 but disruption continued throughout the evening.

The condition of the man is unknown.

A spokesperson for the ambulance service said: "We were called to reports a man had fallen from height near Station Chase Road at about 3.30pm.

"We dispatched an ambulance crew, an ambulance officer and our Hazardous Area Response Team to help assist with the incident.

"Unfortunately we cannot confirm the condition of the patient at this time."

For updates on the status of the line, check c2c's Twitter feed.