Railway death boy funeral is held

Sam Griffiths was electrocuted on the railway at Burgess Hill

The funeral of a sixth-form student who was electrocuted on a railway track in West Sussex has been held in London.

Sam Griffiths, 16, from London, who was a student at Hurstpierpoint College, died at Burgess Hill station early on New Year's Day.

A private funeral service attended by relatives and Sam's close friends and head teacher took place in London on Friday, the college said.

Classmates shared memories of him at a school memorial service on Thursday.

The service was a powerful and emotional tribute to a life full of joy and promise and laughter Head teacher Tim Manly

Derick Bostridge, of Hurstpierpoint College, said: "Last night, friends and family of Sam Griffiths gathered in a packed chapel at Hurstpierpoint College, not just to mourn his untimely loss but also to remember him with a smile and to give thanks for his life.

"One by one, many of Sam's closest friends then spoke of the Sam they knew.

"Each one struggled to fight back the tears and inevitably some were more successful than others, yet each talked with extraordinary dignity, determined to share a glimpse of their Sam with his friends and family."

Head teacher Tim Manly said: "The service was a powerful and emotional tribute to a life full of joy and promise and laughter.

"As the chaplain concluded in his introduction 'Sam's spirit will shine on; the pain will diminish but never the light.'"

Sam had been enjoying a night out with friends when the accident happened.

British Transport Police said it appeared he had been trespassing on the railway line.

Following his death Ian Griffiths said his son was "extremely responsible and very thoughtful and not just some sort of reckless renegade running around".