A GRIEF-STRICKEN family is struggling to come to terms with the death of their 10-year-old son who apparently accidentally hanged himself on a garden rope swing.

Billy Hughes had been playing on the swing outside his family home in Glasgow's east end.

The schoolboy was found unconscious after apparently becoming entangled in the swing. It is the latest in a series of similar tragedies across the UK.

The incident happened at Balveny Street, Garthamlock, at around 9.15pm on Monday.

His parents called 999 and he was rushed to Yorkhill hospital in the city.

A police probe is now underway and officers are treating the 10-year-old's death as "unexplained".

Relatives, friends and neighbours paid tribute to the popular youngster on social networking sites.

His uncle Billy Hendry said: "Words can't say what I'm feeling. I'm totally devastated.

"The wee man will be sadly missed by us all."

On Twitter, Rosie Millgan posted: "Thoughts are with the Hendry and Hughes family. RIP Billy, sleep tight wee angel." Another friend posted: "Far too many people passing away that don't deserve it,

"To young to die, such a shame."

One resident said: "Everybody around here is devastated, Billy was a lovely wee boy. He was very polite and well mannered, it's such a tragedy.

"We have been told that he was out in the garden playing on the swing himself. He somehow got into difficulties and he was unconscious when his family found him."

Another neighbour said: "It's the most terrible thing that has happened.

"An ambulance arrived last night and friends of the family have been arriving at the house all day. Everyone is so upset and my heart goes out to his mum."

On Twitter, Candice McIlwraith posted: "Far too many people passing away that don't deserve it. Rip Billy wee guy thoughts go out to his family!! To young to die such a shame."

Police Scotland said a post mortem examination is due to be held soon.

A spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that around 9.40pm on Monday we received a report of a sudden death of a 10-year-old boy in his garden at Balveny Street, Glasgow. A post mortem examination will be held in due course.

"At this time his death is being treated as unexplained and inquiries are continuing."

One resident said: "Everybody around here is devastated, Billy was a lovely wee boy. He was very polite and well mannered, it's such a tragedy.

"We have been told that he was out in the garden playing on the swing himself. He somehow got into difficulties and he was unconscious when his family found him."

There have been several tragedies involving children becoming entangled in rope swings.

In 2010, a coroner ruled that nine-year-old James Bray, who lived with his family in Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire, had accidentally hanged himself while playing on a rope swing.

In 2012, Josef Kazzan, nine, died after becoming entangled in a climbing rope in his garden in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire.