TRIBUTES have been paid to a 14-year-old Scot who died after collapsing while hiking in Australia.
Pupils from Largs Academy in North Ayrshire have posted messages on social network sites after the death of Euan Williamson.
Messages left on Twitter included one from Nicole England who wrote: "RIP Euan Williamson. This is a tragic accident and my heart goes out to each and every family member of yours. Gone but never forgotten."
Another message said: "RIP Euan you will be greatly missed, sleep tight," while a third said: "No-one deserves to go at 14, RIP Euan! Thoughts with your family".
A fourth pupil wrote: "God only takes the best. RIP Euan you were a wee legend, so young though will never be forgotten."
A spokesman for North Ayrshire Council said members of staff at Largs Academy were informed of the death just before the school closed on Friday.
"We would like to extend our sympathies to the family and will offer pupils any support they require when they return to school," he said.
Euan, from Largs, was bush-walking with his 49-year-old father in Cape Range National Park in Western Australia when he collapsed, apparently from heat exhaustion.
His father called the emergency services at around 2pm.
Police said the pair, who travelled to the area at around 10am to walk along the Badjirrajirra Creek, had not been carrying much water despite temperatures in the region being well above 40˚C.
They were found around 750 yards down a gully, and near the car park of the Badjirrajirra Creek walk.
St John's Ambulance officers treated Euan at the scene, but his condition deteriorated.
He was taken by ambulance to nearby Exmouth Hospital where he died in the early evening.
The teenager had been staying with his father, who is from Geraldton, around 260 miles north of Perth.
Conditions in the remote Cape Range park can become extreme, with temperatures regularly breaking 50˚C in Australia's summer months between November and March.
Turk Shales, the leader of Exmouth Shire Council, said: "I'm deeply saddened that a young lad has lost his life in these circumstances.
"It's a terrible tragedy, especially at this time of year.
"But I'm also shocked that a tourist from Scotland would attempt to hike in these harsh temperatures.
"The weather has been particularly hot over the last few days and we had a wind that turned the heat into a hot fan, which has made it tougher.
"Even locals who are used to these temperatures wouldn't attempt such a walk. It's been a terrible, tragic mistake."
The national park authorities warn hikers not to attempt such gruelling bush walks in Australia's summer. A sign put up by Western Australia's Department of Environment and Conservation at the start of the five-mile Badjirrajirra Walk recommends that visitors should avoid attempting it at this time of year.
It says: "Extreme heat can be experienced when walking the Cape Range. Temperatures can regularly exceed 50˚C during November and March.
"It is recommended you walk in cooler months or cooler times of day."
Walkers are told they should carry three litres of water each and to wear sunscreen, long sleeves and a hat.
The sign warns: "There is no water and very little shade."
A report will now be prepared for the Western Australia State Coroner.
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