A MURDER inquiry was launched today after a Bolton man was pushed into the path of a train.

Trevor Hall, aged 33, of Firwood Grove, Tonge Moor, was killed as he waited on the platform at Manchester Piccadilly station on the way home from visiting his girlfriend.

British Transport Police believe Mr Hall, who has a young son, was pushed under a freight train.

The driver said he had spotted a gang of three to four youths "messing around" on the platform before Mr Hall fell on to the rails.

Police say witnesses reported seeing the group run away from the platform and the station.

The train, made up of around 20 wagons, was travelling from Purfleet to Trafford Park, at 20mph. Many of the wagons were empty flat-bed trailers.

Mr Hall's mother Glenis, aged 73, said today: "I'm devastated at his death but I don't feel angry, I just can't see why someone would do this. I can't see what would justify it."

Mr Hall's friends are set to organise a tribute concert in Leeds this summer because he was a major music fan.

He had two sisters, Jacqueline, aged 52, and Michelle, aged 39.

It is believed Mr Hall was waiting for the 6.07am service to Blackpool via Bolton when the incident happened at 5.50am on Saturday.

British Transport Police today confirmed they are treating the incident as murder.

Detectives said they have no clear motive but are working on a number of positive lines of enquiry to trace the youths.

Det Chief Insp Sefton Sadio, of British Transport Police, leading the investigation, said today: "The victim was actually pushed and we are trying to work out the exact circumstances surrounding his death.

"There is nothing to suggest it was a fight but at the end of the day someone has ended up dead. It is being treated as murder."

Police want to speak to a white man described as between 5ft 6 and 5ft 9ins tall, in his late teens to early 20s, of stocky build wearing a white T-shirt, dark trousers and a floppy hat. A second man wore a dark blue bomber jacket.

Anyone with information should contact British Transport Police on 0800 405040.