A man was killed instantly when he fell into the path of a train full of passengers at Purley Oaks station last week.

It is unclear whether 57-year-old Peter Bosley from South Croydon fell by accident or deliberately into the path of the Bedford to Brighton Thameslink service just after 9.30am last Friday.

Fire crews, paramedics and police attended the scene while trains were halted in both directions.

Although the driver of the train was able to free the trapped body by reversing the vehicle, by that stage the man was already dead.

A spokesman from the British Transport Police said: "A man was struck by a train at 9.30am and was pronounced dead at the scene.

"There are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances but British Transport Police are investigating."

A spokesman from Croydon fire station said crews were on hand to assist with releasing the body from underneath the train, adding: "By the time crews got there the gentleman had been confirmed dead and the train had already reversed, so our assistance was no longer required."

A spokesman for Thameslink said: "It was the 7.48am Bedford to Brighton service, travelling away from London.

"It happened in between Purley Oaks and Purley stations and the train itself was stopped for just over an hour."

The train was allowed to move after 10.45am, where it carried on to Purley station to allow passengers to get off.

No one else was thought to be injured in the incident.

The four railway lines on that stretch of the network reopened just before 11am and trains were able to resume services.

Train services on that stretch of the line had returned to normal by midday for Thameslink and 3pm for Southern.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the British Transport Police on 0800 405 040.