Trains between Brighton and London suffered huge delays after a teenage boy accidentally fell from a station platform and was electrocuted.

The boy was pronounced dead at around 8.40pm on Monday at the scene in Horley, near Gatwick.

It followed an earlier fatality on the railway at Hassocks.

A man was killed after being struck at 2pm. Today police were still working to identify him.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman said: “Officers from BTP and Surrey Police attended Horley railway station, Victoria Road, Horley, Surrey, on Monday after a report of a body on the tracks.

“On arrival, officers discovered the body of a male who is believed to have been electrocuted after falling from the platform and coming into contact with the live power rail. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Officers are working to confirm his identity and inform his family.

“A file will be prepared for the coroner.

“At this stage, officers believe there are no suspicious circumstances and the incident appears to have been the result of a tragic accident.”

A 29-year-old Brighton woman who passed Horley station at around 8.40pm said: “I was on the train in front and it passed Horley, there were no problems.

"Around 20 second later it shuddered to a halt and an announcement came over the loudspeaker which said, 'there has been a police incident at Horley'.

"I later learnt a teenager had accidentally been electrocuted.

“Trains behind mine were delayed.”

The woman said she had been delayed coming in London Victoria earlier in the day because of a fatality at Hassocks which caused delays into the night.

Referring to this a BTP spokeswoman said: “Officers attended, alongside colleagues from Sussex Police and local paramedics and discovered a man had been struck and killed by a train.

“The death is not currently being treated as suspicious and officers are currently working to formally identify the deceased.

“Following the formal identification we will assist in the preparation of a report for the coroner.

“The train involved was the 1.34pm Brighton to Bedford service.”

Today people went online to pay tribute to the teenager.

One woman said: “Can't believe a young boy has been electrocuted by the electric line at Horley station, hearts going out to his family.”

Another said: “RIP to the poor boy who fell onto the track at Horley and sadly passed away. My thoughts are with your family. Sleep well sweetie.”