A student died after falling onto a live railway line.

Nicholas Howells, 20, is thought to have been taking a shortcut on his way home from an end of term party on the University of Sussex campus, when he fell onto the rails at Falmer station.

A friend, who was with the first year business student at the time, tried to rescue him as he fell onto the electric rail.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that the two young men walked down the platform instead of taking the bridge across the tracks.

Students are believed to regularly use the footbridge to cross the rails on their way home. The platforms can be accessed from the bridge when the station is closed.

Emergency services were called to the station at just after 4am yesterday. He had suffered serious burns and was pronounced dead by paramedics.

In tribute, Mr Howells' family who live in Reading, said: “Nicholas was a fantastic son, brother and friend to many.

“He was deeply loved by those that knew him.

“He was an avid rugby player and was enjoying his time studying International business studies at Sussex university.”

The university said in a statement: “Staff and students at the University of Sussex were shocked and saddened to learn of the death of one of our students today.

“Our thoughts are with Nicholas' family and his friends.”

A spokesman said students and staff close to Mr Howells were being given support dealing with the tragedy and the vice-chancellor would be contacting the Howells family.

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