Pupils home after trek fall death

Hayden was on a trip to Austria with other pupils from the Howard School

Pupils and staff have returned home from a half-term skiing trip in Austria in which a 12-year-old boy fell to his death while out trekking.

Hayden Waller, a pupil at the Howard School in Rainham, died from a broken neck and severe head injuries.

He was hiking with three friends near Mallnitz on Monday afternoon when he lost his footing and fell 30ft (9m).

The 38 pupils aged between 12 and 18 and teachers were due to stay at the alpine resort until Sunday.

Two members of staff have stayed with Hayden's parents in Austria.

'Remain upset'

Head teacher Paul Morris said: "We are still struggling to come to terms with this tragic loss of life and the Waller family remain the focus of our thoughts.

"The trip from Austria has now returned and all the students and staff are back with their families, obviously tired and they remain upset, but I sense relieved to be back home.

He added: "The school has counselling and support in place for those affected who were on the trip and for his form group and close friends."

Floral tributes to Hayden have been left at the school gates. Special assemblies are to be held on Monday.

Hayden and three other boys strayed from the path while attempting to walk up the mountain to a local viewpoint, according to the Mallnitz director of tourism, Peter Angermann.

The group had decided to turn back from their climb when another boy slipped and Hayden attempted to help him, falling to his death.

Another boy was slightly injured in the incident.

'Everyone loved'

Special assemblies are to be held at the school on Monday

Hayden's parents, Hayley and Gary Waller, from Wigmore, flew out to Mallnitz, in the southern province of Carinthia, to collect their son's body following the incident.

Mrs Waller said they were confident school staff did everything by the book and that "no-one should be blamed for this terrible accident".

She also paid tribute to her "adventurous little boy" who "everyone loved".

Rose Collinson, director of children's services at Medway Council, said it would play a "full part" in an investigation into the boy's death.

Students from the school have been travelling to the same resort for more than 20 years.