A YOUNG man died after being struck by a train at Salisbury Railway Station on Saturday afternoon.

Nicholas Roach (20), who had been a patient at the Old Manor Hospital in Salisbury, was seen by several witnesses to step out in front of the two-carriage non-stopping sprinter train.

He died later in Salisbury District Hospital.

Mr Roach was a single man, whose family has recently moved to live near Ringwood.

His disappearance from the Old Manor had been reported to Salisbury Police.

British Transport Police are investigating the incident and West Hampshire NHS Trust, of whom Mr Roach was a patient, is carrying out a review.

A trust spokesman said: "Everybody concerned with the care of this patient is deeply shocked at what has happened.

"We would like to take this opportunity to extend our deepest sympathy to his family and friends at this difficult time.

"We are currently carrying out a thorough review of this tragic incident.

"The purpose of this review is for the trust to understand exactly what happened and ensure that every opportunity to learn from this incident is highlighted and acted upon, so that we continually improve our services."

Sergeant Gordon Tait, of British Transport Police, said: "This was a very tragic incident.

"There were a number of people waiting for train services at Salisbury who witnessed it.

"They were traumatised and received treatment from paramedics.

"We cannot foresee these things happening and we understand the effect they have.

"The driver was greatly shaken up by it and had to be taken off duty.

"He was looked after by his manager."

Sgt Tait said he understood that Mr Roach had been sitting on a platform bench and, as the announcement was made about 3.40pm that there was a non-stopping service approaching, he was seen to go to the edge of the platform and step out in front of the train.

Sgt Tait said: "We have so many witnesses - nearly everyone who was present on the platform at the time.

"On a Saturday afternoon, there were a lot of students and people waiting for people coming off the trains. But we appreciate there may be some witnesses we have not spoken to.

"If they are upset by what they saw and want to talk to us, they can call us on 02392 825918.

He added that the incident was one of three in the space of 24 hours on the area's rail network.

At Havant in Hampshire a man was electrocuted, suffering serious burns, and in Sussex a young girl jumped off a train and is in hospital.

An inquest into Mr Roach's death was opened and adjourned in Salisbury on Tuesday by assistant deputy coroner Nigel Brookes.