Passengers again faced major rail disruption on Thursday as all services were cancelled at both London Paddington and Euston stations after two people were struck by trains.
Rail services at Paddington station were suspended on Thursday morning after a person was struck and killed by a train, Great Western Railway (GWR) said.
While Network Rail confirmed on Thursday afternoon that all services were suspended in and out of Euston station while emegency services dealt with an in incident in Harrow where someone was hit by a train.
It said that disruptions were likely to continue throughout the evening.
A statement on the National Rail website said: "A person has been hit by a train between Wembley Central and Watford Junction. Whilst the emergency services carry out their work, the main lines between these stations are closed. The lines used by London Overground between London Euston and Watford Junction have now reopened.
"Trains may be cancelled, severely delayed by up to 180 minutes or revised.
"Major disruption is expected until the end of the day."
⚠️ All services in and out of London Euston are currently suspended whilst emergency services deal with an incident in Harrow
— London Euston (@NetworkRailEUS) December 28, 2023
📲 Please check @nationalrailenq for updates
🙏🏼 Thank you for your patience
🧡Be Safe🧡Be Patient🧡Be Kind
British Transport Police (BTP) said it received a report about an incident near Iver station in Buckinghamshire at roughly 7.15am that affected services in and out of Paddington.
All lines serving the UK’s second busiest railway station were blocked following the incident in the Slough area, causing major disruption to Great Western Railway (GWR), Elizabeth line and Heathrow Express services.
Some lines had reopened by 10am but delays and cancellations continued.
⚠️UPDATE ⚠️ - Due to the emergency services dealing with an incident between #LondonPaddington and #Reading some lines are closed.
— GWR (@GWRHelp) December 28, 2023
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised.
Disruption is expected until 15:00… https://t.co/xx2rrDSqnI
GWR in an update after midday said disruption was expected until at least 3pm with train services subject to cancellation, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised.
National Rail said on X shortly before 5.30pm: "Disruption following the emergency services dealing with an incident between Reading and London Paddington has now ended."Photos taken around 10.25am showed large crowds of passengers at Paddington awaiting information, while departure boards displayed 'please enquire' beside every service.
A BTP spokesperson said: “Officers were called to the line near Iver railway station at around 7.15am today following reports of a casualty on the tracks.
“Paramedics also attended; however, sadly, a person was pronounced dead at the scene.
"The incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”
GWR said: “It is with great sadness that we report a person has been struck by a train, leading to all lines being blocked.
“It is necessary to bring all trains in the affected area to an immediate stop.”
London Paddington reopened on Thursday following four consecutive days of closure for engineering work. It was repeatedly affected by infrastructure faults in the preceding weeks.
It came as the fallout from Storm Gerrit continued to affect railways on Thursday.
Scotland's rail network experienced widespread cancellations and delays with a train driver's cabin hit by a falling tree. No-one was injured.
ScotRail suspended multiple train services until further notice to allow for safety inspections to be carried out.
Avanti West Coast, which operates services on the West Coast Main Line, said on Thursday morning that a tree falling on overhead wires between Rugby and Lichfield Trent Valley means some lines were blocked, extending journey times for services from London Euston towards the North West, as trains are diverted through the Midlands.
Ferry operator DFDS said its sailings between Dover and France were delayed due to strong winds in the Channel. Passengers are being advised to check in as normal and are being put onto the first available sailing.
Police Scotland confirmed the A9 has fully reopened in both directions and is "passable with care" after snow blocked the road between Drumochter and Dalwhinnie in the Highlands.
Storm Gerrit also brought plenty of rain, with the Great Langdale Valley in the Lake District recording 80mm - nearly half the usual 178mm monthly rainfall for December, the Met Office said.
The fastest recorded wind gusts were 86mph at Inverbervie in Aberdeenshire, 84mph at Fair Isle in Shetland, and 83mph at Capel Curig, north Wales, the forecaster said.
