TRAGIC Scout Elliot Peacock's headteacher paid tribute to "a genuinely lovely boy."

TRAGIC Scout Elliot Peacock's headteacher paid tribute to "a genuinely lovely boy."

Stuart Maxwell, of Eastwood High School, Newton Mearns, said the school community was shocked and saddened by the 14-year-old pupil's death.

Elliot died in a gorge-jumping accident while on an adventure holiday in the Italian Alps with the Eastwood District Scouts on Sunday.

Reports in Italy now suggest that Elliot, from Newton Mearns, was probably killed by drowning rather than a 'whiplash' injury initially suspected.

Elliot, a third-year pupil at Eastwood High, lost consciousness after diving from a height of just a few feet at the Lillaz Falls, about 5900ft above sea level, close to the Gran Paradiso National Park.

Instructors supervising the gorge scrambling trip battled to save him but he was pronounced dead at the scene two hours later.

His parents, Scott and Colette, have flown to Italy and are waiting for permission to bring their son's body home.

Urgent plans are also being made to bring the rest of the Scout group and their leaders back to Glasgow.

Elliot's headteacher Mr Maxwell said: "Our entire school community is in shock and profoundly saddened at the tragic loss of Elliot.

"Elliot was a lovely boy, well-liked and well-mannered.

"He would always say 'hello' when he met you around school, everyone knew him.

"He did well in all his subjects, particularly in physics, enjoyed PE and played guitar, and had a wide circle of friends.

"We have been very moved to see so many of Elliot's friends and pupils from the wider school community lay flowers and leave cards in tribute to him.

"There will be the opportunity for pupils and staff to sign a book of condolence at the start of term and record their memories of Elliot.

"We were privileged to have known Elliot for the three years he was with us at Eastwood. He will be very sadly missed by everyone here and all our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this extremely sad time."

Outdoor education provider Acorn Adventure, who ran the trip, have sent out an incident team, which includes a counsellor, to support the youngsters and their leaders.

Elliot was among 40 children on a nine-day adventure trip in the Aosta Valley with his Explorer Scout Group when tragedy struck.

Andrew Gardiner, managing director and founder of Acorn Adventure, said: "We are all profoundly saddened by this tragic incident and our thoughts are with Elliot's family and friends.

"We are working to understand how this happened."

janice.burns@ eveningtimes.co.uk