A teenage was killed and an 18-year-old woman seriously injured when a cave roof collapsed during a camping trip in Shropshire.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said Aiden Brookes, aged 16, was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital after the incident at the Hermitage Caves, near Bridgnorth, at about 1.50am on Monday.
A spokesman said: "It appears as though a group of youngsters were camping in the cave when part of the roof collapsed."
The spokesman confirmed that a local woman suffered back, neck and rib injuries in the collapse.
The female casualty, who is believed to live in Bridgnorth, was taken to the same hospital with "potentially serious" but non-life threatening injuries.
A friend of the teenager visited the site with his father on Monday afternoon to pay his respects. Neither the man nor his son would give their names to reporters, but they described Aiden as a keen sportsman who excelled at both rugby and football.
The man, who said the caves should have been closed off prior to the tragedy, revealed that his son was with Aiden on Sunday night, but returned home before the cave-in. The father said: "He was a nice young lad - it's a terrible loss, an absolute tragedy."
A posting on a Facebook page set up in tribute to Aiden has already attracted more than 100 members.
One posting on the site read: "Aiden was a great friend, an amazing rugby player and a good corporal at cadets. I have never met a nicer person in my life. He will be missed by all of his friends very much and we shall never forget him."
