A POLICE investigation was launched after a body was discovered on railway tracks.

Emergency crews were called after reports of a man's body being found on Merseyrail's Northern line, between Waterloo and Blundellsands stations.

The track was blocked for several hours yesterday while British Transport Police officers investigated how the unidentified man, who was pronounced dead at the scene, came to be there.

No-one else is believed to have been involved.

Several trains were ordered to halt and were delayed for hours after Merseyrail turned off the electricity supply to a section of the track.

Passengers from one stopped train travelling towards Liverpool from Southport were asked to give their contact details to police before they continued their journey.

A spokesman for British Transport Police said: “Officers from BTP and Merseyside police were called to the line close to Waterloo stationfollowing a report of a man’s body on the line.

“The incident, which was reported to police at 9.05am, is currently being treated as unexplained, though officers do not believe any third party was involved.

“Medics from North West Ambulance Service also attended, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene, with injuries consistent with being hit by a train.

“A file will be prepared for the coroner.”