THE DEATH of student who fell from from a Tokyo building during New Year celebrations has been ruled an accident.

Durham University student Justin Browning, 21, was on a year abroad at Waseda University in Tokyo when the tragedy happened.

It is thought Mr Browning, from Rudgwick, in Sussex had gone to the top of the high-rise building to watch fireworks.

A documentary inquest at West Sussex Coroner's Court gave a verdict of accidental death.

Mr Browning was a member of Hatfield College and was studying history.

Following his death staff at Durham University paid tribute to a well-liked, “exemplary student”

Professor Jo Fox, head of history, said: "Justin was one of our very best students and was clearly on course for a strong first class degree. He demonstrated passion for history and in particular the history of Japan and China.

"We had recently heard that Justin's second year extended project on Tibetan Buddhist folklore and ethnicity had just been accepted for publication in the Princeton Journal of East Asian Studies. We are incredibly proud of him.

"He was a model student - funny, committed, sharp, independent, and very well-liked by all."