Emergency services at the scene at Church and Oswaldtwistle Station in Lancashire (Picture: SWNS)
A man died after ‘setting himself on fire’ at a train station.
Police were called to Church and Oswaldtwistle Station in Lancashire just before 6.30am today to reports a man was on fire.
He was pronounced dead at the scene after emergency services arrived at the train station, on the outskirts of Accrington.
Forensic officers carried out investigations at the station following the incident and the platform was closed off for the next four hours. It has since reopened.
A spokesman for British Transport Police said: ‘Officers were called to Church and Oswaldtwistle Station at 6.27am this morning following reports of a person on fire at the location.’
‘The person was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
‘The platform was closed whilst forensic officers carried out an initial investigation of the scene.
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The station is currently cordoned off with police tape (Picture: Newsquest/SWNS)
A police officer speaks with a worker from Network Rail outside the station in Market Street (Picture: Newsquest/SWNS)
Police were called to Church and Oswaldtwistle Station in Lancashire just before 6.30am (Picture: Newsquest/SWNS)
The man was pronounced dead at the scene (Picture: Newsquest/SWNS)
‘The station reopened at 10.35am. Enquiries establishing the circumstances are ongoing.’
Two witnesses told a local newspaper the incident was an act of self-immolation.
Officers wearing forensic suits could be seen entering and leaving the platform area this morning as rush hour trains were cancelled.
Police have now left the scene and the platform is back open to the public, though a shelter on the platform remains taped off.
Soot marks could still be seen on the platform, while one chair in the shelter appeared damaged.
This is a developing news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.
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