Two people killed by freight train near Lincoln

(Getty Images)

Two people have been killed by a freight train at a level crossing outside Lincoln city centre.

Paramedics and Lincolnshire Police were called to the scene shortly before noon on Wednesday but they were pronounced dead at the scene.

The train was heading towards Immingham Dock, near Grimsby, at the time.

A spokesman for British Transport Police did not give any details of the two people killed.

He said: "Officers are now working to establish the full circumstances of the incident, which is currently being treated as non-suspicious.

“The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has been informed.”

Recent figures revealed that the number of deaths from trespass and suicide on the railways rose from 278 to 300 in 2013/14 - the highest annual figure recorded.

It is believed the number would have been even higher without ongoing partnership work between Network Rail and the Samaritans, which has been renewed for another five years.

Additional reporting by PA