MYSTERY surrounds the final movements of an East Hampshire man who died at a level crossing in Liss Forest last week.

Rail services between Haslemere and Petersfield were suspended last Friday after a man was struck by a train close to Mint Road.

The victim, described by British Transport Police as a local man in his 70s, was pronounced dead by medics following the collision at 1.37pm.

A British Transport Police spokesman said the incident was being treated as non-suspicious by the police and that a file was being prepared for the coroner.

The victim has been locally named as David Saunders while flowers in memory of the victim have been laid on a bench.

Mr Saunders regularly ate his sandwiches while sitting on the bench outside the bookmakers before catching the bus into Petersfield.

Villagers have reported that Mr Saunders had been struggling following the recent death of his brother, as the pair shared a home at The Oval.

Residents described the news as "very sad" while a spokesman for the South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance passed on their sympathies.

They said: "Services were disrupted after a person was hit by a train in the Liss area at around 1.30pm.

"Our thoughts remain with the family of the person involved."

Rumours have persisted that there was a car chase leading up to the accident at the foot crossing between Mint Road and Duckmead Lane.

Hampshire Police have confirmed that 10 officers were called to the scene to assist the British Transport Police with their investigation.

But they are adamant that no chase took place and have said that there were no other incidents in Liss last Friday afternoon.