A promising veterinary student seemed "happy and exuberant" in the hours before he was hit by a train after a drunken party, an inquest heard.

Benjamin Ingledew, a second year student at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) was struck by a train half a mile from Potters Bar railway station shortly before 12.45am on Sunday, May 5, 2013.

Hatfield Coroners Court heard today how the 22-year-old, who lived in Esher, Surrey, had been drinking vodka and wine with his housemate, Chris Geotschel and another friend, Ben, before heading out a campus bar.

When they arrived, the trio were separated and Ben was later spotted speaking to a girl outside.

When Mr Geotschel later tried to find Mr Ingledew to ask him to help mind the bar, he said his friend seemed "drunk".

Mr Geotschel said: "He was just staring. I didn't consider it unusual at the time but looking back on it, I guess I should have taken that as a sign that he was quite drunk.

"He wasn't aggressive when he was drunk but he was quite stubborn."

Mr Geotschel walked his friend, Daisy Johnson, home, and arrived back to his house at 1.30am.

Ms Johnson said: "He seemed really happy that night, I'd say exuberant."

Although Ms Johnson said she remembered Ben being in front of the pair, Mr Geotschel said he did not remember him being there.

He and his housemate, Eva Corbett, who did not attend the party, assumed Mr Ingledew had stayed at a friends’ house who lived on campus when he did not return home.

But a few hours later, Ms Corbett was awoken by police officers who informed her Mr Ingledew had died after being hit by a train.

Mr Geotschel added: "I was shocked.

"I didn't think he would have done it to himself. Even when he had depressive phases he wouldn't do that. I assumed he had just wandered off.

"He didn't seem upset, just apathetic but I put it down to him being drunk."

When Mr Ingledew's mother phoned the house, Mr Geotschel cried and told her he was "sorry".

He told the inquest: "I guess I blamed myself and I was sorry that he didn't come home with us."

The court also heard how Mr Ingledew had told his housemate, Sophie, he had feelings for her in the hours before his death - but she had told him she only liked him as a friend.

The inquest continues.