TWO TRAGIC deaths in Petersfield which took place just a week before Christmas are being investigated by the coroner’s office.

The incidents both took place last Saturday (December 17) and involved a woman and a man, both in their 30s.

Of the first incident, a spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said: “Police and ambulances were called to an address on Hylton Road in Petersfield at 2.51pm on Saturday.

“On arrival, officers discovered the body of a woman in her 30s. The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner.”

The woman was found in flats just yards from the Hylton Road crossroad junction with Sussex Road, The Causeway and Dragon Street.

The second incident took place at 5.36pm. British Transport Police (BTP) were called to Petersfield railway station when a man died after being hit by a train travelling south from London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour.

A BTP spokesman said: “Officers were called to the line close to the railway station, after a report that a person had been struck by a train. We believe him to be a man aged in his 30s.

“Medics from the local ambulance service also attended, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene, and the death isn’t currently being treated as suspicious.”

The lines remained closed for more than an hour on Saturday evening while officers completed their enquiries, causing delays and cancellations to services.

The BTP spokesman added: “The line was handed back to Network Rail at 6.42pm. A report will be prepared for the coroner.”

A female eyewitness on the station platform at the time said it looked as though the man stepped out into the path of the train. It was a “tragedy,” she added.

A group of young girls on the platform were left distressed and crying. Her friend added: “What a terrible thing to happen. Poor guy must have been very low.”

The Hampshire Coroner’s Office confirmed on behalf of East Hampshire Coroner David Horsley it was aware of the incidents and was awaiting reports from the police.

As the Post went to press on December 21 no names or other details had been released for either of the deceased.