The East Coast railway north of York has been entirely closed after a person was hit by a train north of York Railway Station.

Police are trying to contact the next of kin of the deceased while First Transpennine Trains run bus services between York and Middlesbrough and have warned passengers could face delays of up to 60 minutes.

East Coast Trains has cancelled the 5.30pm York to Kings Cross train, and other services by the train company and Cross Country have also been delayed or cancelled.

The traffic chaos began when the 2.25pm Newcastle to Kings Cross service hit a person at Skelton Bridge near Skelton Bridge junction where the Harrogate line leaves the East Coast line.

All trains on all tracks were immediately halted while emergency services attended just after 3.30pm.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: “The incident is currently being treated as non-suspicious. A file will be prepared for the coroner”

Paramedics from Yorkshire Ambulance Service attended but the deceased was declared dead at the scene and emergency services are now carrying out necesssary work before Network Rail can declare the line open again.

Grand Central Trains also use the line between York and Northallerton, but their first train is not expected to reach York until 6.42pm