Woman and toddler killed by train (From Halstead Gazette)
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Woman and toddler killed by train
12:15pm Friday 22nd March 2013 in National News © Press Association 2013
The death of a woman and child at a station in south London caused delays to Southern train services
A woman and a young child have died after they were struck by a train in the morning rush hour.
British Transport Police were called to the incident at Riddlesdown rail station near Purley, south London, at around 8.20am on Friday.
Ambulance teams and Met Police officers also attended and the woman and child - believed to be a toddler - were declared dead at the scene.
The station was temporarily closed while the emergency services dealt with the incident and the police investigation was carrying on.
Electrical power to the line between Woldingham and South Croydon was turned off and it was anticipated the line would not open until at least 4pm on Friday
There was considerable disruption to services run by the Southern train company in the area, with buses running between some stations and extended journey times.
Later, British Transport Police senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Simon Taylor said: "Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the woman and child involved in this tragic incident.
"Officers are continuing to work to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident, although early indications show that no-one else was believed to have been involved."
The line between Uckfield/East Grinstead and South Croydon reopened early on Friday afternoon but delays are expected until around 4pm.
