All railway lines through Swindon were blocked for several hours on Easter Sunday, 5 April 2026, following a fatal incident near the station. Emergency services were called to the tracks near Junction 16, close to Royal Wootton Bassett, at approximately 2:35pm after reports that a person had been struck by a train.
Despite the attendance of paramedics and teams from the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, and the Great Western Air Ambulance, the individual was pronounced dead at the scene. The British Transport Police confirmed the incident is not being treated as suspicious and that a file is being prepared for the coroner.
The incident forced the immediate closure of all lines between Swindon and Chippenham, causing major disruption to Great Western Railway services. Trains running between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads, which typically stop at Swindon and Bath Spa, faced cancellations and delays of up to 60 minutes for the remainder of the day. The railway lines were reopened by 7pm.
For passengers affected by the incident, the train operator has provided resources for those seeking support. Anyone in need of assistance can contact the Samaritans by calling 116 123 at any time.
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