EMERGENCY services rushed to the railway line near Earlestown station on Sunday.

British Transport Police received reports of an emergency incident involving a potential casualty on the tracks.

However, it has been confirmed that the incident was a "near miss" rather than a fatality.

The incident saw a number of trains cancelled or delayed.

Fire and rescue officers also attended and a service drone was used. 

Following a search, a person was found and they were handed over to the care of paramedics to be checked over.

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A British Transport Police spokeswoman said: "We were called to the line near Earlestown railway station shortly after 5.30pm yesterday, Sunday (July 21) following reports of a possible casualty on the tracks.

"Officers conducted a full area search and thankfully confirmed this to be a near miss."

A Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman added: "MFRS attended an incident on a railway line near Wargrave Road, Newton-le-Willows, on the evening of July 21 following reports of a person on the track.

"Crews were alerted at 5.57pm and on scene at 6.08pm.

"Two fire engines, the search and rescue team and the service drone attended.

"The train line was closed and multi-agency meeting took place between MFRS, Merseyside Police and British Transport Police."

She added: "Following a search, a person was found nearby and was handed over to North West Ambulance Service to be checked over.

"Fire crews were stood down and left the scene at 7.28pm."