Scout leader dies on Alpine trip

Thomas Moore had been on an expedition with Hertfordshire Scouts

A scout leader who went missing on a trip in Liechtenstein has been found dead, the Scout Association has said.

Thomas Moore, from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, left the group to go walking alone in the country's ridges.

The 21-year-old's colleagues reported him missing when he failed to return and informed his family, who flew to the small West European country.

Mr Moore's mother Diane said her son had been at his "absolute happiest" when he set off on the fatal walk.

Mr Moore's body was found two days later, on Monday, by search teams, after Mrs Moore and her husband Peter arrived in Liechtenstein.

Our thoughts are with Tom's family at this sad time Scout Association spokesman

He was found at the bottom of a ravine after apparently falling a 1,000ft (309m) to his death, his mother said.

Speaking after flying back to the UK, Mrs Moore, 48, said: "The last text I had from him said, 'one more walk and then I will have done everything I wanted to do'.

"We know right up until the last minute or so before he died he was probably at his absolute happiest.

"We feel that those last two weeks of his life were probably absolutely fantastic and he was really happy."

Mr Moore was due to return to the University of East Anglia in Norwich next month, for his final undergraduate year.

Professor Jacquie Burgess, head of the university's school of environmental sciences, said: "Tom was a very bright, enthusiastic and committed student who was doing very well in his degree, with a passion and flair for fieldwork.

"All members of the school of environmental sciences, staff and students, will be deeply saddened by his tragic death."

Helicopter deployed

A Scout Association spokesman said Mr Moore, an assistant explorer scout leader, had travelled to Liechtenstein on an expedition organised by Hertfordshire Scouts.

He said: "Towards the end of the trip Tom decided to go walking on his own and left the expedition base.

"He informed others he was going to walk some local ridges. He took with him a day sack, some money and his passport.

"Tom indicated he would be back in time to join the main party on its scheduled return to the UK on Saturday morning."

The spokesman said Mr Moore was reported missing to authorities in Liechtenstein on Saturday morning by Scout leaders.

He continued: "When Tom didn't return other members of the Hertfordshire leadership team alerted the local police and a search was initiated.

"A helicopter was also deployed.

"Tom's close relatives were informed of his disappearance on Saturday afternoon.

"Tom was found by search teams on Monday.

"Our thoughts are with Tom's family at this sad time," he added.