A railway worker was fighting for his life with multiple injuries last night after he was struck by a high-speed train.
The man, in his 30s, was working on maintenance at a section of track when he was hit by the Gatwick Express.
His colleagues and the train driver raised the alarm after they realised the man had been struck by the train, which was bound for Victoria station in central London.
An air ambulance, rapid response car and paramedics were called to the scene near Reedham Station, outside Purley, Surrey, shortly after the accident at 5.30am. 'One patient was taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting as a priority with an escort by the air ambulance doctor,' a London Ambulance spokesman said.
The man's condition was described as 'serious'.
British Transport Police were also called to the scene.
'Officers are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident, including how the man came to be struck,' a spokesman said.
'The rail accident investigation branch has been informed.' Delays were reported for most of the morning. The Gatwick Express, operated by the Go Ahead transport group, usually makes the 45km (28-mile) journey between the airport and central London in 30 minutes.
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