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A hero Londoner died as he tried to pluck his brother to safety from the tracks at Old Street Tube station before they were both struck by an oncoming train.

Passengers looked on in horror as the Northern Line train ploughed into the pair in a “tragic accident” as they made their way home after a night out.

The 35-year-old man killed suffered severe head injuries as he desperately tried to pull his younger brother onto the platform.

Sources confirmed the pair's relationship today.

It is thought that the 32-year-old, who was fighting for his life in hospital today, may have been trying to recover an item such as a mobile phone or wallet which had fallen onto the track.

British Transport Police are not treating the incident, which happened at 12.20am on Sunday, as suspicious.

Eyewitness Josie Griffiths said: “One man was under the tube but responding. People were crying, it was such an horrific scene. It is so terrible to hear that someone has died - the man under the train was obviously seriously injured. The atmosphere on the platform turned from happy night out to very grim. I just did not want to look.”

Jamie Eastlake tweeted: “I’ve just seen on the platform but looks like someone has went under the tube at old street station. Terrifying.

Another tweet said: “That person was trying to save someone on the tracks and they were both hit,”

It is understood the tube driver is in deep shock and will be offered counselling after the horrific smash.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman said an investigation into the incident had been launched to establish the chain of events.

A Tube worker today said: “The man dropped something down onto the track, a mobile phone or something, and then somehow he’s got into trouble down there.

“This other person then tried to help him out and pull him up back onto the platform in time before the train came, but it wasn’t in time and they both got hit. I believe it was pretty bad.”

Another said: “They played the CCTV and you could see that the man dropped something down onto the track, a mobile phone or a wallet or something, and even though the train was coming he went down to try and get it.

“The other person who tried to help him was then hit as they were leaning over and trying to help him back up. But the train came along and hit them too. It was really tragic.

“It happened at the back of the platform, just as the train pulls in so maybe they didn’t realise how close the train was.

“I don’t they knew each other and the other person was just trying to help.”

In statement the BTP said: “On arrival officers discovered two men on the tracks with serious injuries. The men, one aged 32 from Manchester and the other aged 35 from London were treated at the scene by colleagues from the London Ambulance Service and then taken to Royal London hospital in a critical condition.

“The 35-year-old man from London died in hospital later that day. The 32-year-old from Manchester remains in a stable, but critical, condition.

“Officers are not treating the incident, which appears to be a tragic accident, as suspicious.

“The man’s family has been informed and we have a specially trained officer providing them with support at this time.”

A TfL spokesperson said: “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 London Hospital. Police colleagues described the incident as non suspicious, and we are working with them on a thorough investigation.”

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant 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.”

It comes just weeks after a woman survived being dragged under a tube at Clapham South station when her coat got trapped in a door.

The incident triggered calls for a review of safety on London underground platforms.

Mick Cash, leader of the RMT union, said: “We await the outcome of the investigations into the tragic incident at Old Street which once again reminds all of us of the ever present dangers across the network. The union is seeking further information but understands that the incident happened late at night just before close of service.”

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