Youth's tragic rail death

The 18-year-old died instantly after climbing through the window of a moving train and attempting to clamber on to its roof.

It is believed that Tom, a labourer, of Woodgate Meadow, collided with a bridge on the line at East Chiltington, between Cooksbridge and Plumpton.

A friend, with others who are believed to have spent the evening watching the annual celebrations in the town, pulled the communication cord to stop the train.

Emergency services and the train driver rushed to the scene at 11pm and found his body on the tracks.

A British Transport Police spokesman said the teenager's death was being treated as a tragic accident.

The spokesman said Tom climbed out of a window and got on top of the train. A friend who was with him pulled the emergency cord. The driver stopped the train at Plumpton station.

The friend told the driver Tom had got on the roof and then 'disappeared'.

Delays

Trains were delayed for up to two hours. The accident caused widespread disruption to the region's rail service.

Extra trains that had been laid on from Lewes to take crowds home had to be diverted via Brighton

Trains from Lewes to London were delayed for 90 minutes while emergency services worked at the scene, leaving hundreds stranded.

More than 25,000 people had flocked to Lewes to watch the bonfire celebrations which otherwise went on without major problems.

Keith Austin, secretary of Lewes Bonfire Council, said the teenager's death had marred the evening.

Tom's family, who have been in the village 10 years, were too upset to talk to the Express on Wednesday.

His parents are David and Terri Epps and he has a sister Imogen.

Friends said he was a well-liked local boy.

Tom attended both Plumpton Primary School and Lewes Priory School.

Priory headteacher Martyn Ofield said: 'We would like to express our sadness and regret at Tom Clarke's death and extend our sympathy to his parents.

'Tom was very good-natured and cheerful and was very well liked by everyone at the school. His parents were always very supportive and we feel his death is a great shame.'

His form tutor of five years, Denise Montebello, said she knew Tom well. 'He was a really friendly, likeable student,' she said. 'He had a great sense of humour and always had a smile on his face.'