Words by Erdington Local editorial team
Hundreds of passengers were delayed this morning, after trains were cancelled due to a fatality on the line at Erdington Railway Station.
Emergency Services were called to the Cross City Line station just after 8am and trains between Lichfield and Birmingham were stopped.
Police and ambulance services were at the scene this morning, with local commuters seeing the emergency services around Station Road and taking to social media to warn other to avoid the area.
West Midlands Railway estimated there could be delays until just before midday, and the police have confirmed the death is not being treated as suspicious.
A British Transport Police spokesman said: “Officers were called to Erdington at 8.09am following reports of a casualty on the tracks. Paramedics also attended however sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”
A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service added: “We were called to an incident on the railway line near to Erdington Station at 8.06am. One ambulance and a paramedic officer attended the scene. On arrival we discovered one patient.
“Sadly, it quickly became apparent nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene.”
A popular route for people heading out to work, Birmingham University, or the QE Hospital, National Express West Midlands are accepting tickets from affected rail users on its bus services until further notice.
West Midlands Railway tweeted at 9am: “Cancellations to services between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley. Due to the emergency services dealing with an incident between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley Hl the line is blocked.
“Tickets will be accepted on NXWM bus routes – 11A, 11C, X14, 14, 65, 66, 67, 907, X3, X4, X5, 6, 77, 77A.
“Coaches have been requested starting at Lichfield Trent Valley and Sutton Coldfield shuttling between stations.”
For more on all train services across Birmingham visit www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk
Please add some support for anyone feeling suicidal at this time. Anyone considering this. Tell them what to do. Samaritans 116 123 However carefully it is reported this will trigger people who have considered taking this action. I know because have been one of them.
Here is the website for Samaritans.
http://www.samaritans.org
They also have a lot of advice for what to do if you are supporting a person who feels suicidal and will support you too.
Mental health services have not been there for me in crisis since easter and i am one of the most proactive people i know with my own mental health issues. This could still very easily have been me. Last week while feeling suicidal quietly i was listening to another service user sobbing and saying they could not carry on. I don’t know who the person here was or whether it was an accident but all of us “in the trade” as i call it know people feeling this desperate at any given time. Something needs to be done. We are not okay and we need more help and support from somewhere. We are looking out for each other while in survival mode ourselves. Every person who dies is tragic for them and those who loved them. It is also a reminder that it could be me. Keep reaching for help people… even if it’s barely there WE ARE WORTH IT. WE DESERVE TO LIVE AND GET BETTER.
see this campaign from samaritans with network rail
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/safety-in-the-community/railway-safety-campaigns/suicide-prevention-campaigns/