Man dies trying to save his brother from oncoming Tube train at Old Street station

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A man died yesterday after trying to rescue his sibling from being hit by a Tube train after he allegedly dropped his belongings on the tracks.

The 35-year-old victim, from London, died of severe head injuries after attempting to save his 32-year-old brother – who lives in Manchester – from being struck by a train, the British Transport Police confirmed today.

The two men both got hit by a southbound Northern line train. The BTP said they are not treating the incident, that occurred at Old Street station shortly after midnight on Sunday morning, as suspicious.

It appears to be a “tragic accident”, they added. It is believed that the first man dropped either a wallet or phone while both of them were on their way home from an evening out, however this has not been confirmed by the BTP.

The man died in the Royal Free Hospital on the same day that he jumped on the tracks to help his brother escape from the oncoming train. The 32-year-old remains in a stable but critical condition.

The siblings’ names will be released once a post-mortem or inquest into the death has been carried out.

Witnesses wrote on Twitter that the accident was “terrifying” and that one of the men was under the Tube but had been responsive. Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

A BTP spokesman said: “Our officers were called to Old Street station at 12.22am on Sunday following reports of a person being struck by a train.

“Officers are not treating the incident, which appears to be a tragic accident, as suspicious.

“The man’s family has been informed and we have a specially trained officer providing them with support at this time.”

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Adrian Naylor said: “I am keen to speak to anyone who was at the station or on the platform when the incident happened to help us understand how the two men came to be struck by a train. If you witnessed the incident please get in touch with us on the number below.”

Anyone with information should contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference TSUB/B3 of 30/03/15.

Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.