Rail lines re-open at Thatcham

Man taken to hospital after Colthrop incident

RAIL lines have re-opened at Thatcham, after a man was taken to hospital earlier this morning (Tuesday) after he was spotted injured near the railtrack at Colthrop.

Network Rail spokesperson, Victoria Bradley, said a train driver had reported a trespasser on the track near Colthrop at 7.30am.

The driver slowed down until the train was adjacent to the male trespasser and who initially appeared to have sustained serious injuries.

British Transport Police, and ambulance services arrived shortly before 8am, when both lines were closed.

South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) sent two ambulance crews to the incident at 7.38am, following a phone call from a passenger on a passing train, reporting a man lying on the track.

The man was located near the Colthrop Lane level crossing.

"The patient had not been hit by a train, he had been walking around the track, fallen and hit his head," said David Gallagher, a spokeman for the ambulance service.

"He was suffering neck pain and a head injury – not life-threatening."

The man was taken to the Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital.

Both rail lines were re-opened at 8.45am.