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Man electrocuted on top of train Electrocuted man 'not prankster'
(about 4 hours later)
A man was electrocuted while on the roof of a freight train travelling through Manchester city centre. A man who was electrocuted while on the roof of a freight train in Manchester is not believed to have been "train-surfing", police said.
Emergency services were called to Oxford Road station on Wednesday evening after reports of a fire seen on board the train. The 26-year-old man from Burnage died when he touched 25,000-volt power lines while on top of the train.
It is believed the man's body, which was found on top of the train, touched overhead power cables in the station, possibly causing the blaze. British Transport Police (BTP) said it was not thought the man was taking part in a prank when he was hit by the volts near Manchester Piccadilly station.
The station was closed while police investigated but reopened on Thursday. It is thought he may have been trying to hitch a free ride.
A British Transport Police (BTP) spokeswoman said: "It's possible that the body has come into contact with overhead cables on the train and caused a short circuit, which has caused the fire, but it is too early to say how the body came to be on the train." Stopped at signal
Train services which usually travelled through the station were diverted on Wednesday evening. Transport police said they are not treating the incident as suspicious. Emergency crews responded to reports of a small fire on Thursday night at the back of the freight train.
A BTP spokesman said: "A short time later a body was discovered on top of a container on board the freight train.
"Fire Brigade, paramedics and officers from BTP attended and the body of a male was pronounced dead at the scene.
"Officers from BTP are investigating the circumstances surrounding this fatality."
Police believe the man got on the train when it stopped at a signal in Levenshulme.
The spokesman added: "As the train was approaching Piccadilly Station this male has come into contact with overhead power lines.
"BTP are still investigating the reason why the male got on to the freight train. However at this stage it is not believed to be a prank that has gone wrong."