A TEENAGER from York has died after falling from a hotel balcony on his first holiday abroad with friends.
The body of former Huntington School pupil Iain Knox, 19, was found on the ground at Kavos, a resort on the Greek island of Corfu, where he was on a Club 18-30 holiday.
A Greek police spokesman said officers were still investigating the fall from a second floor balcony at a hotel, but there were not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.
Iain’s brother Lewis, 20, spoke yesterday of the family’s shock.
Speaking on behalf of the family, he said: “It’s a difficult time. The holiday was his first lads’ trip abroad.
“Iain was a loving son and brother, full of fun and laughter, he lived life to the full. He’ll be missed desperately by all his family and friends.”
Iain, a Formula One enthusiast, had passed his driving test only three weeks ago.
He is understood to have moved from York to Scotland in 2008, and continued his schooling in Glasgow, but returned to the city recently to work.
A York friend who did not go on the trip, Jake Weathers, 18, who said he used to play football with Iain, told The Press he had been shocked when he heard the news of his death.
“He was funny, always good for a laugh, and a good mate,” he said.
Another friend, who preferred not to be named, said: “I am very shocked and devastated.”
Friends also paid tribute to Mr Knox and gave their reaction to his death on twitter.
One tweeted: “RIP Iain Knox, you was a lovely lad who didn’t deserve to go,” while another said: “No one deserves to be taken away at such a young age!”.
A third said: “Some things put everything else into perspective.”
John Tomsett, head teacher at Huntington School, said Iain had left the school in May 2008.
“He was a lovely lad who is fondly remembered,” he said.
“Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.”
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are aware of the death of a British national in Corfu on June 14 and we stand ready to provide consular assistance to the family.”
A Club 18-30 spokesman said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of our holidaymaker who has sadly died while in Kavos.
“Our team, both in Kavos and in the UK are offering all the support they can at this very difficult time.”
Club 18-30 says on its website: “A holiday to Kavos is like a rite of passage.
“If it was a film it would be called a ‘coming of age’ flick and we’ll leave you to decide whether it will be a comedy, a drama or a horror.
“The point is, everyone should go there at least once and you should stick it between bungee jumping and seeing the Grand Canyon on your ‘bucket list.’”
The death is the latest of several involving young people falling from balconies on holiday abroad in recent months.
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