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Major rail delays after man dies at Tempe train station

Published: August 9 2017 - 5:01PM

A man has died at Tempe railway station on Wednesday morning, forcing the closure of a section of the rail line.

Train services were closed between Sutherland and Bondi Junction on the T4 Eastern Suburbs and lllawarra Line and the South Coast line.

Trains were initially paused after a trespasser was seen running on the tracks about 7.30am. It was later confirmed by police that the man was hit by a train and died.

The lines reopened shortly before 8.30am, but delays were still being felt throughout the network more than five hours later.

The Transport Management Centre warned commuters that the delays could continue for a number of hours, however by 5pm Sydney Trains reported all services were running as normal.

The delays were exacerbated by urgent signal equipment repairs at Sutherland station that maintenance workers were forced to commence early on Wednesday afternoon. 

Flow on delays continue in both directions due to an earlier fatality at Tempe. Please allow extra travel time.

Earlier, commuters were urged to delay non-urgent travel, to make alternate travel arrangements or to allow extra time with travel plans.

Sydney Trains urged passengers to listen to announcements and use real-time transport apps for the most up-to-date information. 

Shuttle trains operated between Sutherland and Cronulla and between Central and Bondi Junction. Shuttle buses were added between Sutherland and Cronulla to ease the delays. 

Earlier in the morning, passengers travelling on the line reported considerable confusion, with station staff delivering mixed messages.

The fatality between Wolli Creek and Tempe has caused mass confusion and delays. Hurstville is at a standstill @T4SydneyTrains #sydneytrains pic.twitter.com/vtYZN9zIxt

Police are treating the man's death as suicide. 

❏ Support is available for those who may be distressed by phoning Lifeline 13 11 14; Mensline 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636.

This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/major-rail-delays-after-fatality-at-tempe-train-station-20170808-gxs6zf.html