A mother and her two young children were killed today after they apparently jumped in front of a high speed train.
The 27-year-old woman and her five-year-old daughter died instantly when they were struck by the Heathrow Express service at around 1.15pm at Southall railway station in west London.
Her nine-month-old baby son was taken to Ealing hospital, but he died from his injuries around two hours later.
It is thought the mother, who may have been carrying her baby, and her daughter suddenly jumped in front of the train from a platform. Their bodies were found on the tracks.
Several people are thought to have witnessed the incident. The train came to a standstill about 200 metres from the station. The Heathrow Express train, which runs between Paddington and Heathrow Airport, can travel at up to 100mph. British Transport Police, London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service all attended the scene of the accident.
Southall station has been closed while British Transport Police officers carry out their investigation. They are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.
A detailed forensic examination of the scene is already under way. The incident has caused huge disruption to the rail network, with services in and out of Paddington reduced by half.
A spokesman for Network Rail said: "Services to and from Paddington are severely disrupted and passengers are advised to seek alternative routes for the rest of the day.
"First Great Western Link services will run every 30 minutes between Paddington and Oxford, First Great Western Express services will run on the hour to Bristol, at five past the hour to the west of England then at 45 minutes past the hour to Swansea.
"The Heathrow Express will run at 25 and 55 minutes past the hour. "Tickets will be accepted on alternative routes such as Waterloo to Reading."