A man was killed by a tube train as he tried to save the life of his younger brother who had jumped onto the tracks to get something he had dropped.

https://twitter.com/josiegriffiths/status/582130567468224512

The 35-year-old was trying to help his sibling, 32, when an oncoming train struck them both at Old Street Station.

The older man was leaning over the tracks at the back of the platform near to the tunnel entrance and suffered fatal head injuries while the 32-year-old, from Manchester, had multiple wounds.

The incident occurred in the early hourse of yesterday morning, at about 12:20am.

An ambulance crew, duty manager and London’s Air Ambulance attended the scene before the men were taken to the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, where the older man died.

The younger man – who was thought to be fetching a phone or wallet - is fighting for his life.

Witnesses took to Twitter to describe the incident and express their shock.

Journalist Josie Griffiths tweeted: “I really hope the two people who got hit by a tube at Old Street last night are okay. One man was under the tube but responding.”

While Jamie Eastlake tweeted: “Just quoting what I’ve just seen on the platform but looks like someone has went under the tube at Old Street station. Terrifying.”

Another tweet by Jon Jones, a passenger on the tube, read: “I was on that tube too in the first carriage. Really horrible stuff.”

A TfL spokesperson said: “At 00:21 hours on Sunday two men were involved in a collision with a train on the southbound track at Old Street station. Emergency services attended the scene and the men were taken to Royal Free Hospital.

“Police colleagues described the incident as non suspicious, and we are working with them on a thorough investigation.”

British Transport Police are not treating the incident as suspicious but are appealing for witnesses to come forward to “put together a fuller picture of what happened.”

Investigating officer, Det Sgt Adrian Naylor said: “I am keen to speak to anyone who was at the station or on the platform when the incident happened to help us understand how the two men came to be struck by a train.

“If you witnessed the incident please get in touch with us on the number below.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference TSUB/B3 of 30/03/15.

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.