Man killed out of train window

A 32-year-old man died instantly when he leant out of a train window as it entered a tunnel at 70mph, British police said.

Passengers on the London Victoria to Worthing service witnessed the horrific accident, which happened at 12.15am today.

The man was seen to lean out of the train shortly after it left Hassocks station in West Sussex, UK. He struck his head on the tunnel entrance.

The driver of the train reversed back to Hassocks where ambulance paramedics tried in vain to save the man’s life. He died of massive head injuries.

There were no delays to later rail services as a result of the accident.

A spokesman for the British Transport Police at Brighton said: ‘‘A number of people on the train witnessed the incident and pulled the emergency cord. It is thought the man hit his head on the entrance to Clayton Tunnel between Hassocks and Preston Park.

‘‘The train was reversed back to Hassocks because that was the quickest way for ambulance personnel to gain access to the man. Despite their efforts the man died.

‘‘The death is not being treated as suspicious. The Health and Safety Executive has been informed, as has the local coroner.’’