Boy, 16, killed crossing rail line after 'game of chicken' goes horribly wrong

The boy, who has not been named, was struck by the London to Sevenoaks service at around 10pm after he ventured onto the track with a pal at Shoreham station.

The teenager was declared dead at the scene while his friend - who dodged the oncoming train - was later released from Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford after being treated for electric shock burns.

Natalie Davison, spokesman for British Transport Police, said a large group of teenagers who had gathered on the station's platform have been quizzed by investigators.

She said: "We cannot say at this stage whether the death is being treated as suspicious although a large group of teenagers have been questioned.

"At this stage we are treating the death as unexplained and are trying to collate as much evidence as possible from the scene.

"We know the two boys ventured onto the line but do not know the circumstances which led to them being there."

She said the next of the kin of the boy, thought to be local to the area, have been informed and a post-mortem examination will be carried out later today.

Sarah Boundy, spokesman for South Eastern trains, said the driver was being offered support and had helped investigators with their enquiries.

She said: "Obviously in this situation we offer as much and support to our drivers as possible."