Parents of a teenager who died after falling on to the tracks at Sittingbourne railway station have thanked the public for their support.

Sophie Lintott was standing on the platform when she seemed to be having a seizure and stumbled forwards on to the tracks.

It happened on a busy Monday morning when around 100 people were in the station.

The 18-year-old died was rushed to London hospital, but died a day later.

An inquest on Tuesday heard 18-year-old Sophie Lintott had no significant medical history to suggest she had a epileptic fit or was unwell leading up to the tragic accident, on November 2.

Investigating officer for British Transport Police, DC Gareth Mathias, told coroner
Patricia Harding there was: “No evidence from CCTV footage that showed Sophie being pushed by a third party.”

He added witnesses reported seeing the trainee financial administrator “walking
unnaturally”, “stumbling” and “appearing to have an epileptic fit” seconds before going over the edge.

The hearing, at Archbishop’s Palace in Maidstone, was told pathologist Dr David Rouse had found that Sophie, who started an apprenticeship at Tarvos Wealth in Canterbury last August, died from a lack of oxygen to the brain and electric burns.

It heard emergency services arrived shortly after 8.15am, but had trouble securing the teenager’s airways.

The former Fulston Manor pupil, who lived in The Finches, was rushed to King’s College Hospital where she was treated for burns to the face and neck by the major trauma team.

She was later moved to an intensive care unit after her condition improved, but a CT scan revealed she had sustained a hypoxic brain injury during the accident, meaning she had been starved of oxygen.

Following a brain stem test she was pronounced as brain dead on November 4.

Coroner Patricia Harding recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Sophie's parents praised the emergency services, staff of Southeastern, and King’s College Hospital, and the public for their help at the scene and following the tragedy.

The family also thanked those who have sent letters, condolence cards and left flowers at the station.

In a statement issued through the British Transport Police, they said Sophie wanted to make a difference and was on the Organ Donor Register and to date three recipients have been helped by her "incredible gift".

Following her death the family asked for donations to be made to Kent Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance and Crohn’s and Colitis UK instead of flowers.

So far approximately £2,000 has been raised and shared between the two charities. The family would like to thank all those who have made a donation to these two worthwhile causes.

"Sophie was a bubbly young lady who made friends easily," said the statement.

"She will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her, including her friends at school, dance school, Guiding, work and college."