Memorial for rail death teenager

4:35pm Friday 9th January 2009

Sixth-formers packed a school chapel to mourn a boy who died in a New Year’s Day accident.

Sam Griffiths, 16, a pupil at the exclusive Hurstpierpoint College near Burgess Hill, was electrocuted at Burgess Hill railway station.

He tripped while crossing the tracks as a prank or dare, police believe.

His fellow pupils held a memorial service for him on Thursday night.

Teachers and students paid tribute to Sam’s “infectious giggle” and an “ability to light up a room whenever he appeared”.

They remembered how, after arriving from Brighton College in autumn last year, he threw himself into school life, establishing himself as a rugby player and winning praise for his acting ability.

Friend Isabelle Harris sang Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” and the college choir performed hymns.

Headteacher Tim Manly said: “Above all he will be remembered for the way in which he communicated his infectious enthusiasm and love of life to all those he met.

“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’.”

Mr Manly and some of Sam’s close friends travelled to London for his funeral at St Michael & All Angels in Bedford Park, West London, today.