Man, 22, electrocuted at railway statrion

Darren Avis, of London Road, had been with friends in Walkers in Devonshire Square.

Shortly before closing time he left the cocktail bar and walked up to Bexhill station.

As a train was pulling out towards Hastings, the driver spotted a young man on the track and was able to stop the train in time.

But Darren was electrocuted by the live rail.

Marsid Greenich, media relations manager for South Central, said the incident happened at 10.47pm when a driver on the 8.42pm from Victoria to Hastings was leaving Bexhill station. He saw a man fall in front of him on the track.

"The driver said the man seemed to stumble and touch the third rail which was live. The man was not hit by the train.

"The current was isolated just after 11pm and the area declared a crime scene.

"The line was reopened by 12.30am.

"The last two trains from Ashford were cancelled and one from Ashford to Eastbourne. Passengers were bussed to their destination."

The train driver, he said, had been stood down and had reported sick. "It was a dreadful shock for him," said Mr Greenich.

The incident is being investigated by British Transport Police at Brighton.