A NORTH Yorkshire student who was found dead in a city centre four days after vanishing in freezing temperatures had suffered a serious fall, a post-mortem examination has shown.

Duncan Gibbon, 21, from Northallerton, was with a group celebrating a friend's 21st birthday in Newcastle when he became separated from the rest of the party at about midnight on Saturday, December 18.

A major search was launched and his body was found on an embankment near a bridge in the city last Wednesday. A post-mortem carried out by Northumbria Police has now revealed the Edinburgh University student died as a result of serious injuries following a fall.

The force said no third parties were involved and a report is now being prepared for the coroner.

Mr Gibbon's parents, Simon and Kate, and his 19-year-old brother Jake have said they will remember him as “someone who brought a smile to everybody he met” and have thanked all those involved in the search.

Detective Inspector Gary Stephenson of Newcastle CID said: “Our thoughts are very much with Duncan's family at this very difficult time for them.

“We offer our sincere condolences to his family and friends and we will continue to offer them our support.”