A TEENAGE student has died in hospital after falling from a railway bridge.

A man who went to his aid told yesterday how he saved the teenager from being run over by a train after he fell from a footbridge on to rail lines at Eaglescliffe, Tees-side at 12.30pm on Sunday.

The 19-year-old student was taken to Stockton's North Tees General Hospital suffering serious internal injuries and died six hours later.

Train services were disrupted on the Darlington to Middlesbrough line by the incident, which happened at a bridge linking Yarm Road with Burnmoor Drive.

Colin Medd saw the unnamed student climb on to the parapet and fall. He rushed to help and flagged down an approaching train before it hit him.

Mr Medd, of Highfield Drive, Eaglescliffe, has campaigned for 13 years for the bridge to be enclosed.

He said: "I saw the lad climb on the parapet and I wondered what he was doing. I saw him and heard him fall.

"My wife called an ambulance and I leapt over my fence. He was lying still on the track. I took his pulse, I talked to him and he didn't respond, but he was breathing.

"Then I heard a train coming and took my grey top off to wave at it and slow the driver. Luckily, they saw me and hooted. I'm shaken up by this. It's very sad.''

PC Mark Seales, of British Transport Police, said: "This is a tragic incident for such a young man, especially a student who'd have a bright future ahead of him."

British Transport Police are appealing for witnesses to the fall to contact them on (01642) 249293.