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Rail death son 'made final call' Rail death son 'made final call'
(41 minutes later)
A teenager told his father "I love you" during a New Year's Day phone call an hour before he was electrocuted on a rail line, an inquest has heard.A teenager told his father "I love you" during a New Year's Day phone call an hour before he was electrocuted on a rail line, an inquest has heard.
Sam Griffiths, from London, who was a student at Hurstpierpoint College, died at Burgess Hill station, West Sussex, in the early hours of 1 January. Sam Griffiths, from west London, a student at Hurstpierpoint College, died at Burgess Hill station, West Sussex, in the early hours of 1 January.
Witnesses told the inquest at Haywards Heath Magistrates' Court he tripped and fell as he ran across the tracks.Witnesses told the inquest at Haywards Heath Magistrates' Court he tripped and fell as he ran across the tracks.
Coroner Penelope Schofield recorded a verdict of misadventure.Coroner Penelope Schofield recorded a verdict of misadventure.
She said she would write to British Transport Police outlining her concerns about public awareness of live rails.She said she would write to British Transport Police outlining her concerns about public awareness of live rails.
Sam had had spent the evening celebrating the New Year at a friend's house and rang his father Ian Griffiths at 0030 GMT, about an hour before his death.Sam had had spent the evening celebrating the New Year at a friend's house and rang his father Ian Griffiths at 0030 GMT, about an hour before his death.
I knew it was dangerous to run across the tracks but I really had no idea what was live and whether there was really a live rail Teenage witnessI knew it was dangerous to run across the tracks but I really had no idea what was live and whether there was really a live rail Teenage witness
Mr Griffiths said: "It was clear that he was at one with himself.Mr Griffiths said: "It was clear that he was at one with himself.
"He said, 'Dad, I love you' and I said, 'Sam, I love you. Take care'. Those were my last words to him.""He said, 'Dad, I love you' and I said, 'Sam, I love you. Take care'. Those were my last words to him."
Toxicology tests showed Sam was twice the legal drink-drive limit.Toxicology tests showed Sam was twice the legal drink-drive limit.
Pathologist Dr Peter Wilkins said in a statement that there were no other drugs detected in his system.Pathologist Dr Peter Wilkins said in a statement that there were no other drugs detected in his system.
"It was very calm, happy party," according to Victoria Henley, who hosted the event with her husband."It was very calm, happy party," according to Victoria Henley, who hosted the event with her husband.
The inquest was told that Sam and a group of five friends left the party after midnight and went to Burgess Hill station to catch a train to another friend's house.The inquest was told that Sam and a group of five friends left the party after midnight and went to Burgess Hill station to catch a train to another friend's house.
Railway prankRailway prank
A 16-year-old girl said he decided to climb on to the railway line as a prank after telling them "he always wanted to run across" the tracks.A 16-year-old girl said he decided to climb on to the railway line as a prank after telling them "he always wanted to run across" the tracks.
He ran over the railway line twice before stripping down to his boxer shirts for a third crossing.He ran over the railway line twice before stripping down to his boxer shirts for a third crossing.
The inquest was told it was on this occasion that he tripped and fell on to the live rail.The inquest was told it was on this occasion that he tripped and fell on to the live rail.
Another 16-year-old friend said: "I knew it was dangerous to run across the tracks but I really had no idea what was live and whether there was really a live rail."Another 16-year-old friend said: "I knew it was dangerous to run across the tracks but I really had no idea what was live and whether there was really a live rail."
Friends retrieved his body from the tracks and tried to resuscitate him on the station platform before the emergency services arrived.Friends retrieved his body from the tracks and tried to resuscitate him on the station platform before the emergency services arrived.
He was pronounced dead from electrocution at hospital.He was pronounced dead from electrocution at hospital.
Following the verdict, Sam's parents and sister Kate issued a statement which said: "Our lives have been greatly enriched by Sam and, as his family, we want to find a way to move forward that pays tribute to his kind and loving nature and his spirit of fun and adventure."Following the verdict, Sam's parents and sister Kate issued a statement which said: "Our lives have been greatly enriched by Sam and, as his family, we want to find a way to move forward that pays tribute to his kind and loving nature and his spirit of fun and adventure."