A man's body was run over by up to 300 London Underground trains after a worker mistook it for a fox, it was claimed.

It is thought body remained on the tracks in a tunnel between Holborn and Russel Square on the Piccadilly line for around 14 hours before being identified as human.

The man is believed to have been aged 47 and from Maidstone.

Transport for London said its thoughts were with the man's family but would not comment further until an inquest had concluded.

It is thought body remained on the tracks in a tunnel between Holborn and Russel Square on the Piccadilly line for around 14 hours before it was identified as human. File photo

A member of staff investigated but believed he had spotted a dead fox on the tracks, it was reported. File photo

It was reported that CCTV footage also revealed a person had been filmed entering the tunnel at Holborn. Pictured: Piccadilly line under carriages line up at Cockfosters

A service in the tunnel was stopped at around 11.30am on December 28 last year after a trip switch activated, according to The Sun.

A member of staff investigated but believed he had spotted a dead fox on the tracks, the newspaper reported.

A source added that the manager advised controllers at Earl's Court that the remains were that of an animal.

'No foxes have been found killed or otherwise seen in the centre of the Piccadilly Line tunnels for over 15 years,' they added.

British Transport Police were later called at 1.42am the following day and identified the body as that of a person.

It was reported that CCTV footage also revealed a person had been filmed entering the tunnel at Holborn.

Some 26 trains an hour would have passed through the tunnel in the 14 hours after the member of staff went to investigate the body

Some 26 trains an hour would have passed through the tunnel in the 14 hours after the member of staff went to investigate the body.

A British Transport Police spokesman told The Sun: 'We were called at 1.42am on December 29 to reports that a body had been found in the tunnel between Holborn and Russell Square stations.

'A 47-year-old man from Maidstone was declared dead at the scene.'

A TfL spokesman added Standard: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who was found in the tunnel between Holborn and Russell Square stations on December 29 2017.

'We are unable to comment further at this time pending the conclusion of the coroner’s inquest.'