A man found dead on a railway line had come to Britain in search of a better life, according to his friend.

Mitcham man Andrius Marcinkus, 23, died at Streatham station after falling off the platform on to the tracks.

It is thought the Phipps Bridge resident stumbled off the platform and was electrocuted after coming into contact with the live third rail in the early hours of January 30.

The incident was reported at 6.23am and is being investigated by the British Transport Police (BTP).

Mr Marcinkus’s friend Rita Fainuolyte said: “He went to London for search a job and better life.”

She said hearing of her friend’s death had been “very hard” for his mother and 17-year-old sister in their home country of Lithuania.

A BTP spokesman said the London Ambulance Service attended but Mr Marcinkus was pronounced dead at the scene. An inquest into the death has been opened and adjourned at Southwark Coroners’ Court.

About 12 trains call at the Streatham High Street station every hour, including services to Wimbledon, Sutton, Luton and central London.

A spokesman for Southern Railway, operators of the station, said the company could not comment on Mr Marcinkus’ death until an inquest had been completed.