Tributes have been paid to a British teenager who died after falling from the Lanzarote hotel where he was holidaying with his parents.
David Alexander, 18, was today named as a victim of last week’s tragedy at the three-star Galeon Playa Apart-Hotel in the east coast resort of Costa Teguise.
Police said Mr Alexander’s death was not drink-related or linked to any ‘inappropriate behaviour’.
Mr Alexander, who died in hospital shortly after the horror plunge, had just started a game development course at City of Glasgow College after leaving the Vale of Leven Academy in Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire.
He had finished school as an award-winning student after excelling in subjects such as mathematics, with support for the difficulties his diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and Tourette’s syndrome brought him.
David Alexander, 18, was today named as a victim of last week’s tragedy at the three-star Galeon Playa Apart-Hotel in Lanzarote
Mr Alexander and his family were holidaying at the three-star hotel at the time of his death
Mr Alexander was also a member of a charity called Golden Friendships, based in Clydebank, which promotes social inclusion.
Charity leader Jim McLaren said in a tribute on social media alongside a photo of Mr Alexander: ‘Sadly, David lost his life in a tragic accident in Lanzarote last week.
‘David was a very popular young man who enjoyed being part of our club. His aunt Angela told me that it was like a second home to him and that it brought him a lot of friendship and happiness.
“On behalf of Golden Friendships, we would like to express our condolences to David’s family at this sad time.”
Clydebank College student Joe Taylor responded by saying: “One of my best friends in high school. Such a nice and friendly boy. Fly high David. I will miss all our happy times.”
Karen Nally, from Clydebank, added: ‘David was a little diamond and Dylan adored him and considered him his best friend.
‘He was such a sweet, intelligent and funny boy who will be greatly missed by all my family. What a tragedy, my thoughts and prayers are with his beautiful family. RIP David.’
Charlene Kielty wrote: ‘Absolutely gutted. David was so sweet and a great friend to so many of us.”
Police said Mr Alexander’s death was not alcohol-related nor linked to ‘inappropriate behaviour’
Mr Alexander had just started a game development course at City of Glasgow College when he died in Lanzarote last week
Ann McDougall said: ‘Heartbreaking for David’s family and friends. What a sweet young man, what a loss.’
Vale of Leven Academy headteacher Matthew Boyle said he was ‘shocked and saddened’ to hear of the former student’s tragic death.
Golden Friendships are now raffling off two signed framed tops belonging to former footballers Chris Sutton and Mark Hateley to support Mr Alexander’s family.
England international Hateley played for Rangers and Nottingham-born Sutton, once capped by England, played for clubs including Celtic, Blackburn Rovers and Chelsea.
Mr Alexander died just before noon last Tuesday at the Doctor Jose Molina Orosa Hospital in Arrecife, the capital of Lanzarote, about four hours after being rushed from his hotel, seriously injured, after falling from a second floor .
Well-placed sources said his mother and father accompanied him to the hospital.
A source close to the investigation into the tragedy said last week: ‘This was an accident not related to alcohol or linked to inappropriate behavior by the teenager who died while climbing between balconies.
‘He was on holiday with his parents and they accompanied him to the hospital.
‘He fell from the second floor. The alarm was raised at 7.30am and he died in hospital four hours later.
“An investigation is underway, but foul play has been ruled out.”
Mr Alexander admitted he would miss school in a newspaper interview in August, highlighting his success in subjects including math, music, chemistry and computer science, despite living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Tourette’s syndrome. .
The teenager told the Dumbarton Reporter before starting his college games course: ‘My teachers have been very supportive and without their support I wouldn’t have achieved what I have achieved.
‘In general, I am very easily distracted, but the teachers kept me focused on my work.
“I know game development is very difficult to get into, but I’d like to get into the course and see how I go.
‘I have enjoyed my time at school and will miss all the teachers who have helped me over the years.’
As well as academic success, his love of the outdoors was recognized with the John Muir Award and Junior Park Ranger Award from the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
He also spent time volunteering at West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare.