The Brighton & Hove coroner has urged students to keep off railway lines following an inquest into the accidental death of a first-year Sussex student.

At the inquest last month, coroner Veronica Hamilton-Deeley heard that British Transport Police were called to Falmer rail station on 25 May 2011 following a report of a body on the electrified line.

The police officers found Sussex student Nicholas Howells on the track with serious burn injuries. Paramedics also attended but Nicholas was pronounced dead at the scene.

Speaking immediately afterwards, Inspector Gary Ancell from British Transport Police described the incident as "a tragic accident which has seen a young man lose his life after coming into contact with the live rail".

He added: "This is a sad reminder of the need to take care when near railway lines.

"The live third rail, which powers trains across the south, carries 750 volts of electricity and remains switched on 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

At the inquest, coroner Veronica Hamilton-Deeley found that Nicholas died after he and his friend "made a decision to cross the tracks by jumping off the eastern platform, walking across the tracks and then climbing up onto the western platform".

She said: "Unfortunately, Nick tripped and fell on to the live rail and died instantaneously as a result of high voltage electrocution.

"The rails in the south of England are 'live' and there is a strong possibility of severe injury or more likely death if students trespass on the rails rather than using footbridges to cross the tracks."

The University's Director of Health & Safety, Marion Richards, reiterated the warnings from the police and coroner. She said: "The third rail looks like a normal rail but it is actually a power line.

"The electricity is so strong that if you touch the rail or step on it, you will stick to it like glue and won't be able to get off.

"The electricity is likely to kill you - and, if you do survive, you will suffer terrible burns.

"We urge all Sussex students to use the footbridge when crossing from one side of the railway to the other."