Rail passengers watched in horror as a 24-year-old man stepped in front of a high-speed train.

The man died after being struck by a Gatwick Express as it passed through Merstham station on Saturday.

Police, paramedics and the air ambulance were called to the scene at around 12.30pm, but the man, whose identity had not been released before The Mirror went to press, was pronounced dead at the scene.

An eye-witness, at the station with his young daughter, said two other children had seen the incident.

He said: "He [the man] was opposite us and was pacing up and down. I could see he was really agitated.

"When I clocked what was going on I grabbed hold of my daughter to stop her seeing what was happening but she was hysterical.

"I'm totally devastated and totally shocked but I have to hold it together for her.

"I just keep thinking 'how could someone do this when there were children there'?"

The man was hit by the noon Express service travelling from London Victoria to Gatwick Airport.

Officers from British Transport Police and paramedics from South East Coast Ambulance attended the station on Station Road, Merstham. The car park was cleared to allow the air ambulance to land.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: "I can confirm that a 24-year-old man died after being struck by a train at Merstham rail station.

"The incident was reported to police at 12.29pm on Saturday January 30, and is currently being treated as non-suspicious.

"BTP and Surrey Police officers attended the station, alongside paramedics from the Surrey Air Ambulance."

A spokesman from train operators Southern said the line's power was turned off while the incident was being investigated and as there were engineering works on the remaining three lines, the Brighton Main Line was closed from 12.30pm until 2pm.

He said: "Because of the severe disruption to services on the Brighton Main Line and elsewhere, Southern services did not return to normal until 5pm.

"Between 2pm and 5pm, services were subject to short notice alterations, cancellations and delays."