Commuters on a packed rush hour platform screamed in terror as a man threw himself in front of a train at Highams Park.

The unnamed man's body was mangled underneath the train after he was hit by the 8.33am Liverpool Street to Chingford service just before 9am.

An eye-witness travelling on the National Express East Anglia train and did not wish to be named, told the Epping Forest Guardian:

"I could hear people on the other platform screaming as the train hit him. They looked sick."

Another said:

"It was horrible. People on the other platform saw what was happening before we did as our train was pulling into the station. They were falling to their knees, crying, screaming, everything.

"We walked past the driver as we got off the train. His face was covered in tears."

Non-suspicious

A British Transport Police spokesman said:

"The incident, which was reported to police at 9.03am, is being treated as non-suspicious.

"A file will be prepared for the coroner."

The line was closed and traffic diverted as crossing barriers remained down until 11am but delays are expected throughout the day.