A SOLDIER who helped contain the Ebola virus in West Africa has been found dead by the side of a road while holidaying in Miami.

Detectives in Florida are refusing to rule out foul play after Private Shaun Cole, who served with 1 Scots, the 1st Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, was found in a pool of blood with severe head injuries.

The squaddie had been attending a dance music festival after recently returning from active service in Sierra Leone, where British forces are helping the country's people deal with the deadly virus, shortly before he died on Sunday.

Police said his injuries were caused by blunt force and are refusing to rule out that he may have been murdered.

The 24-year-old had been attending the Ultra Dance Festival in the city with friends, and had recently posted on social media about how much he had been enjoying himself.

A police spokesman said that it could take days, or even weeks, before they can determine how Pte Cole died.

The street where his body was found was cordoned off while a forensic team was brought in, while a search was also conducted at the motel he was staying in nearby.

A Miami Police spokesman said the death was being treated as unexplained.

Local resident Oscar Aguilera was driving to the shops when he saw the body. He told local media he was the first person to contact police, saying: "I was just driving by and I just saw him laid out - I can't believe nobody stopped and called it in.

"When I saw him not moving in a puddle of blood I kind of knew he wasn't doing alright."

Other witnesses told police that an injured Pvt Cole had been seen running down the street for about a mile before he collapsing.

Pte Cole, from Edinburgh, had completed two tours of Afghanistan and was most recently deployed to help with efforts to combat the spread of Ebola in last month with the Royal Scots Borderers.

Tributes have been paid to the former Tynecastle High School pupil, with many friends taking to social media to express their shock at his sudden death.

His friend Jamie Lothian, who had travelled to Florida with Pte Cole and friend Sean Ward, took to Facebook to send a message about the tragedy back home to Scotland.

He said: "It's killing me inside to write this but still can't get my head round any of it.

"I've not only lost one of my best friends but a brother and there is not a moment for the rest of my life that I'll never stop thinking about you bro.

"Thanks everyone for the support cause I canny even explain what we are going through over here."

Other friends added their own thoughts on Twitter, with Mikey Imrie sending the message: "Privilege knowing you and to call you mate my, RIP Shaun, absolutely gutted."

Kirsty Swan said: "Can't believe the horrible news I've just heard. Such a nice genuine guy, RIP Shaun," while Kal Uheida added: "Was a pleasure to have known Shaun, great guy and had some great laughs with him .. horrible news today."

In a statement yesterday, his battalion said: "We can confirm that Private Shaun Cole, of The 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland died while on holiday in Miami

"The men and women of 1 Scots are shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the death of Private Shaun Cole.

"Only recently back from helping to battle the Ebola virus in Sierra Leone and a veteran of the conflict in Afghanistan, Shaun achieved an extraordinary amount in a military career that was full of promise but was tragically cut short. We will miss him terribly.

"Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Shaun's family at this desperately difficult time."

A Foreign Office Spokesman said: "We can confirm the death of a British National on 29 March 2015 in Florida. We stand ready to provide consular assistance to the family at this difficult time."