Rail death boy told 'take care'

The father of a teenager who was electrocuted on a railway line in West Sussex has recalled how his last words to his son were "take care".

Sam Griffiths, 16, from London, died after falling onto the track at Burgess Hill station early on New Year's Day.

Ian Griffiths said he spoke to him about half an hour after midnight.

"He was clearly having a great time with some great friends. He said 'I love you Dad'. I said 'I love you son, take care', and he didn't."

Sam had been enjoying a night out with friends from Hurstpierpoint College, a private boarding school near Burgess Hill.

"He was somebody who really took great care"
Ian Griffiths

British Transport Police (BTP) said it appeared he had been trespassing on the railway line when the incident happened.

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

"He was somebody who really took great care."

He recalled how his son had been building a life for himself first at Brighton College, then at Hurstpierpoint College.

"He was extremely happy. He'd built this great network of friends there.

"He lived life in the fast lane, and I guess this was God's way of telling him to slow down a little bit," Mr Griffiths said.

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