A promising cricketer has died after being hit by a train in the early hours of this morning after fleeing from police who stopped his car.

Surrey batsmen Tom Maynard, who lived in Wandsworth, was killed after being hit by a train just after 5am at Wimbledon Park station.

Mr Maynard was found dead on the tracks less than an hour after police tried to pull over a black Mercedes which was being driven "erratically" on Arthur Road, it has also emerged.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "The male driver of the vehicle - a black Mercedes C250 - made off on foot. Officers were unable to locate the man.

At approx 5.10am the body of a man fitting the same description was found on tracks near Wimbledon Park station."

The Independent Police Complaints Commission, which is duty-bound to investigate deaths of people who come into contact with police, has been notified of the incident but has not yet received a formal referral from the Met.

An IPCC spokeswoman said: "Once a formal referral has been received from the Met Police, an assessment will take place regarding the level of IPCC involvement."

Last week Maynard, 23, was disciplined by his county for being out late and breaking a curfew during a championship match against Sussex.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman said: "London Ambulance Service medics attended but the man, believed to be 23-years-old, was pronounced dead at the scene.

"The incident was reported to BTP at 5.03am and is currently being treated as non-suspicious."

The specific circumstances around his death are unknown but an inquest will be opened in the next few days.

He had played for Surrey against Kent in a Twenty20 match yesterday (June 17) in Beckenham, where he scored seven runs before being caught.

Maynard had recently been selected for the England Elite Performance Squad to tour Australia this winter.

He joined Surrey from Glamorgan at the start of last season after his father Matthew, an England international himself in the 1980s, left the Welsh county.

In a statement, Surrey Chairman Richard Thompson said the youngster was "destined for great things".

He said: "Our thoughts at this awful time are with Tom's family and friends and all those that were close to him.

"Tom Maynard was a prodigiously talented young batsman who had made an incredible start to his career and was clearly destined for far greater things.

"To lose anybody at such a young age is an utterly senseless tragedy."

ECB Chairman Giles Clarke said: "Tom was a player of enormous potential who had already represented England Lions and had an exciting future ahead of him.

"Our hearts go out to the Maynard family for their tragic loss and we send them and all Tom's many friends and colleagues within the game our deepest sympathies."

Since the news broke at midday, the cricketing world have paid tribute to the young man.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan wrote: "Thoughts are with Matt Maynard and his family. Words can't describe the terribly sad news that Tom Maynard has died aged 23."

Current England international Graham Onions said: "Words can't describe how sad I am hearing the news about Tom Maynard, my thoughts are with his family and friends #RIPTom."

West Indian captain Darren Sammy said: "Very sad to hear that Surrey cricketer Tom Maynard has died at age 23. The West Indies team's thoughts and prayers go out to his family."

Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff said: "Tragic news that a great lad, Tom Maynard, is no longer with us. All my thoughts are with his family at this awful time."