A MAN is thought to have lost his foot when he was hit by a train at a railway crossing in Malvern.

A British Transport Police spokeswoman said they received a call at 6.55pm on Monday, January 31, from the driver of the 18.40 Great Malvern to Dorridge train.

Paramedics and police were called to the scene and found that the train had "clipped" the man, who was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital suffering non life-threatening injuries.

However, unsubstantiated reports claim he has lost a foot.

Central Trains spokesman Gerard Burgess said commuters were kept on the carriages until the track was cleared. Trains were stopped in both directions for about an hour.

The line was re-opened briefly at 7.30pm but was closed again by police for forensic examination.

Mr Burgess said the company had a procedure whereby any driver involved in an incident was relieved of their duty at the nearest point, but could not confirm whether the driver was still off work.

"Obviously we apologise for delays to passengers but it was something which was completely beyond our control," he said.

"It obviously causes delays and inconvenience but there is a sad human story behind it when this sort of thing happens."

The crossing has been the scene of numerous incidents. Frank Shelton, aged 67, was killed in 1988 and 70-year-old Lily Tandy died the same year while walking on the track.

In 2001, Dave Boycott, 73, was killed at another crossing from Jamaica Road to The Americans playing field. He was hit by a train while trying to rescue his wife's dog from the tracks.

Dyson Perrins High School pupils, who live in the south part of Malvern Link, also use the crossing.

One woman, who did not wish to be named, told the Evening News that she was not surprised by this latest incident.

"It has happened before. There's always kids playing up there," she said.

Another woman, who also did not wish to be named, said she did not think the crossing would be shut.

"It is useful to have it there," she said. "If it weren't, people would have to walk a long way to get round to the other side."