A BUSINESSMAN has died after being hit by a train on a level crossing.

Ho Sanderson, a one time farmer, landowner and property developer, was killed after being hit by a train on the East Coast Main Line north of Widdrington station, near Morpeth, Northumberland, on Monday evening.

Mr Sanderson, 60, is believed to have been out on his bike when he was hit by an inter-city passenger service on the Felton Lane crossing at 5pm.

His family described the incident as a "tragic accident" and were said to be "deeply shocked" and trying to come to terms with what had happened.

Mr Sanderson's death came almost a year to the day after he shot himself in the face at his home in what the family also described as an accident.

In the past year, the businessman had seen several of his companies go into administration.

He had also faced court proceedings over alleged breaches of planning conditions at a development near Bedlington.

A spokesman for Sandersons, Hugh Fell, said: "There has obviously been a tragic accident on the rail crossing.

"The family are deeply shocked by it.

"They are just trying to come to terms at the present time with what has happened."

The incident was reported to the British Transport Police at 5.17pm, and officers were dispatched to the scene.

The North-East Ambulance Service was also informed but did not attend after it was established Mr Sanderson was dead.

The railway was closed until just after 6.30pm.

British Transport Police is carrying out an investigation into how Mr Sanderson came to be on the track.

A file will be passed to the coroner's office at Berwick, which last night confirmed it had been notified of the death.

A Transport Police spokesperson said: "BTP can confirm that a 60-year-old man has died after being struck by a train at Felton Lane level crossing, in Morpeth, Northumberland, on Monday, March 8.

"The incident is being treated as non-suspicious.

"The train involved was the 16.00 Edinburgh to King's Cross service, and the lines were handed back to Network Rail at 6.34pm.

"Investigations are currently ongoing to find out how the man came to be on the tracks, and a file will be prepared for the coroner."

A spokeswoman for Ambulance Service said: "We were notified at 17.27 by the police.

"Our crew was stood down because once the police got there (it was clear) that the patient was dead."

Mr Sanderson's wife Margaret was away in Europe at the time of her husband's death but is to return to the couple's home.

The Sandersons have two sons, Mark and David, and two daughters.

Northumberland County Councillor Glen Sanderson, brother of Mr Sanderson, last night said: "He fulfilled a huge amount in a relatively short time and his family have a lot to be very proud of."