A MAN was killed after being hit by a train near Atherton station.

Police and paramedics were called to Engine Lane, which runs alongside the railway from Atherton towards Tyldesley and Walkden, at 7.16am ON Tuesday after reports of a body on the track.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Northern Rail spokesman said services between Salford Crescent and Hindley via Atherton experienced major delays.

Trains were diverted via Bolton, with delays of up to 30 minutes between Salford Crescent, Wigan Wallgate and Wigan North Western, and replacement buses were in place between Hindley and Salford Crescent in both directions.

Trains were back running as normal by 9.45am.

Dave Nichols, aged 55, who was waiting at Atherton station for one of the delayed services, said: "It’s obviously a bit of a shock for everyone here.

"It’s not what you expect when you are going to work in the morning.

"It’s always sad to here of something like this happening."

Fellow passenger Kate Wood, aged 40, said: "It is a real shame to hear about this. It is a horrible thing to happen — really tragic."

Tributes have were also paid online.

The UK Railway Chaplains head office tweeted: "Today a train driver reported a body between Walkden and Atherton. Prayers for another family suffering bereavement, and the rail staff affected."

Cllr Iain Lindley, for Walkden South, tweeted: "Sad news. A person has been hit by a train between Walkden and Atherton."

A spokesman for British Transport Police said: "We have yet to identify the man and inform his family.

"The incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner."