An Ipswich man suspected of trying to help a woman commit suicide on a Suffolk rail line has died after being struck by a train, it has emerged.

The British Transport Police (BTP) has said 37-year-old Alan Hobbs, of Shafto Road, died at a railway station in Hertfordshire three days after being released on bail.

Mr Hobbs had been bailed until earlier this month as part an investigation into an incident near Stowmarket which left an Ipswich woman with serious injuries.

The female, who is in her 20s, was found in Spikes Lane near the Haughley junction at around 6.15pm on Sunday, February 23.

Mr Hobbs is understood to have been found on or near the railway line shortly afterwards and was arrested in connection with the incident.

Originally he was detained on suspicion of attempted murder. However, when he was released on police bail on February 24 it was on the basis of being suspected of aiding and abetting an attempted suicide.

It has now emerged that Mr Hobbs died three days later at Kings Langley railway station.

The BTP has voluntarily contacted the Independent Police Complaints Commission in relation to Mr Hobbs’ death as officers had contact with him in the days leading up to the tragedy.

A BTP spokesman said: “BTP officers were called to Kings Langley rail station, on Thursday, February 27, to a report that a man had been struck by a train.

“Officers from BTP and Hertfordshire Police attended the incident, which was reported to BTP at 7.36pm and is currently being treated as non-suspicious.

“Medics from the East of England Ambulance Service also attended but sadly Alan Hobbs, 37, from Ipswich, was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The man’s family were informed and officers are working to prepare a file for the Coroner.

“The incident has been voluntarily referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).”

Mr Hobbs inquest is to be held in Suffolk. It was opened and adjourned at West Suffolk Magistrates Court in Bury St Edmunds.

The BTP have said the woman who was injured at Haughley junction has been released from hospital.

She was originally taken to West Suffolk Hospital before being transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge where she was treated for head and pelvic injuries.