A RUGBY fan from Crewe is recovering in hospital after being struck by a train on his way home from watching England at Twickenham.

The injured man, who is 56, had watched England's victory opening in the Rugby World Cup victory over Fiji on Friday, September 18 and was making his way when the incident happened at Twickenham railway station.

British Transport Police said it would not be investigating the incident further and confirmed the collision was 'accidental' and no-one else was involved.

The man remains in hospital with damage to his legs and back.

The train had been slowing at the time the man was hit and services between Twickenham and London Waterloo were suspended while the man was treated but later resumed.

A spokesperson for the South West Trains said: "We have been planning for the Rugby World Cup for two years and have introduced a number of enhancements at Twickenham, including a new station building, platform resurfacing and extensions, to prepare for the volume of people travelling to and from the matches.

"We carried out a full risk assessment and prepared a detailed crowd management plan for the opening match to supplement the extensive experience we have in dealing with large scale events at Twickenham.

"On the night of the England v Fiji game, around 50 South West Trains staff and security personnel were in place at the station. A planned queuing system was in operation to ensure that a safe and appropriate number of people were on the platform at any one time. At the time of the incident, a train had not long departed.

"At this stage, the information we have from British Transport Police is that this was an individual accident. We have no additional information that suggests anyone else or any other factor was involved.

"Our thoughts remain for the welfare of the passenger who was injured. Passenger safety is always our number one priority and we will continue to work with the organisers, police and other agencies to help people have a safe and enjoyable Rugby World Cup."

The station in south-west London was evacuated while the man was treated. The ambulance service said he was later taken to St George's Hospital.

A BTP spokesman said: “The man, who is 56 and from Crewe, was struck by the train which was slowing down to come into the station, and suffered back and leg injuries as a result of the incident.

“He was removed from the tracks shortly after 11.20pm and was taken to St Georges Hospital where his condition is described as stable and he continues to receive treatment for his injuries.

“Officers are now working to determine exactly how the man came to fall onto the tracks, though it appears this was an accident with no third party involvement.”