A man has died after being hit by a train while fleeing the police in Willesden Green on Tuesday evening.

The man, believed to be in his 20s, was stopped by two officers who believed him to be in possession of drugs in Christchurch Avenue at 4.25pm.

While he was being searched he broke away and made off on foot.

Both officers gave chase and he was pursued and observed from a distance for around 40 minutes by a police helicopter and search dogs.

During that time he ran into gardens, climb over fences and went onto railway lines where he was hit by a train near Dartmouth Road at 5.12pm.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course.

Officers from the Directorate of Professional Standards have been informed.