The police in Naledi, Soweto, has opened an inquest docket following the death of a man who was hit by a train yesterday morning.

The gruesome incident occurred on the newly constructed bridge between Naledi and Protea North.

According to reports, the incident happened around 09:00 when a train departing from Naledi Station was en route to Morafe Station.

It is alleged that the man was hiding behind the pillars of the said bridge and jumped in front of the oncoming train.

The police could not confirm if the incident was a suicide. Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Sello told Soweto Urban News that no one had come forward as the man was not yet identified.

“The victim has not been identified and is believed to be in his late 30s. The circumstances that led to the incident are unknown at this stage and police investigations continue,” Sello said in a statement.

When the publication arrived on the scene, police officials and security officials from the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) were on the scene as the mutilated body of the deceased was still lying under the railway tracks.

Train services had to be temporarily suspended to allow investigations to get underway.

Transport departmental spokesperson Lwazi Khoza said they were still waiting for Prasa to give further details about the matter.