Kieran Brookes, the 14-year-old Heathfield boy injured while on a school skiing trip to France last month, has died.

He had been treated at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital after being flown back to Britain with his parents, Cindy and Nick.

It is thought he suffered extensive brain damage after being strangled by either his clothing or backpack which had become caught in a ski lift as he tried to get off.

On Friday his headteacher, Roy Pike, of Torquay Boys' Grammar School, paid tribute to the teenager.

'On behalf of the whole school community we are deeply saddened to confirm that Kieran Brookes passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 17,' he said.

'Kieran was a lovely boy, fully involved in the life of the school.  He participated in all sorts of activities, he was full of energy and especially generous to his friends.

'Even after the accident we heard that in a recent national mathematics challenge Kieran was in the top 5 per cent of students nationally.  All in all this is a devastating tragedy.

'We would like to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Kieran and to thank all the parents and friends of the school who have offered support.

'We will be working with Cindy and Nick Brookes to set up a memorial fund in Kieran's name and we will confirm details of this in due course.

'Our prayers are with everyone affected at this time.'