A packed city commuter train hit and killed a person on the track today.
It happened at the height of the peak at 7.50 am as the Fenchurch Street bound train from Shoeburyness was travelling between Leigh-on-Sea and Benfleet.
All services came to a stop as the emergency services attended.
Commuters stranded on the train involved were transferred to a second train brought up alongside.
Buses replaced trains between the two stations.
British Transport Police (BTP) are treating the tragedy as non-suspicious.
Delays on the busy Shoeburyness and Southend Central route lasted throughout the peak.
A spokesman for Network Rail said: "We are working with the emergency services to restore normal service as quickly as possible.
"We apologise to commuters for the distress and disruption they suffered this morning."
Commuters were advised to use alternate Greater Anglia services from Southend Victoria to Liverpool Street.
A signal failure caused delays to Southeastern trains from Hayes via Elmers End to Charing Cross.
Journeys were extended by 20 minutes.
