POLICE were today hoping to identify a man who was killed when he was struck by a train on the outskirts of York.

The man died in the incident at about 8.50am yesterday. He was hit by a Cross Country service from Birmingham to Newcastle near Copmanthorpe.

Officers from British Transport Police are trying to establish the man’s identity.

The incident, which is not thought to be suspicious, led to rush-hour delays and cancellations on services to and from York.

Replacement buses services operated between York and Leeds and York and Doncaster as well as a limited bus service between York and Hull. Hundreds of passengers travelling with five train companies – CrossCountry, East Coast, First TransPennine Express, Grand Central and Northern Rail – were affected.

The scene was cleared by noon, but many services remain delayed until late afternoon, according to National Rail Inquiries.

A spokesman for East Coast said all trains coming in from the north to York had been re-directed away from the city after the accident.

A British Transport Police spokesman said officers were called to the line close to Ploughman’s Close, Copmanthorpe.

North Yorkshire Police, paramedics and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance attended, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

He said: “Enquiries are on-going to establish the man’s identity and inform his next of kin.”

A file is currently being prepared for York coroner Donald Coverdale.