Tributes paid to rail death boy

Sam Griffiths started at Hurstpierpoint College in September

Tributes have been paid to a 16-year-old boy who was electrocuted at a railway station in West Sussex.

Sam Griffiths, from west London, was a boarder at Hurstpierpoint College, a private school near Burgess Hill.

British Transport Police (BTP) said Sam slipped and fell on to the live rail while out with a group of friends at Burgess Hill early on New Year's Day.

His head teacher Tim Manly described the sixth-form student as popular and a "gifted rugby player and actor".

Mr Manly said: "Sam came to Hurst last September as a weekly boarder to study for his A-levels, having previously been a pupil at Brighton College. "He was a lovely young man, full of life and with a gentle, friendly manner."

Sam will be greatly missed by Hurst pupils and staff Tim Manly, head teacher

He said Sam had been part of the school's rugby squad and his talent as an actor was given special mention by an independent external adjudicator during a school competition.

Mr Manly added: "Sam's father, who is a journalist with the Guardian, spoke today of how happy Sam was at Hurst, how the school's approach to education had brought out the very best in him and how hard he had been working over Christmas in preparation for his January exams.

"Sam will be greatly missed by Hurst pupils and staff and our thoughts and prayers today are with Sam's family, and his friends both here at Hurst and at Brighton College."

'Avoidable tragedy'

Ch Insp Alison Palmer, from BTP, said it appeared to have been a "tragic accident" which had happened while Sam was trespassing on the line.

Ms Palmer said: "His friends immediately raised the alarm.

"Despite the efforts of paramedics, Sam was declared dead on arrival at Royal Sussex County Hospital.

"Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this time."

Ms Palmer explained that the live rail carried 750 volts of electricity and was switched on "24 hours a day seven days a week".

She added that the accident highlighted the dangers of trespassing on the railways.

"This was a terrible tragedy which could have been avoided," she said.