Student dies in 60ft cliff plunge

The student fell from the cliffs in the early hours

A first-year student has plunged 60ft to his death from a cliff close to St Andrews University in Fife.

Alex Wilson, 19, was understood to have been taking a shortcut to a beach party when he fell from the cliff in St Andrews at about 0130 GMT.

His body was washed up close to the spot where he fell, in the Scores area of the town, at about 0300 GMT.

Mr Wilson, from Alberbury, Shropshire, was with a friend when he fell. There are no suspicious circumstances.

A lifeboat was launched from Broughty Ferry along with an RAF helicopter from Northumberland during the search for him.

University vice-principal Stephen Magee, said: "Alex, 19, died this morning following a tragic accident in St Andrews.

"Alex was in his first year with us studying French and Spanish and also social anthropology.

"He was a bright and very popular student who was much loved by his family and friends."

Mr Magee added: "We send our sincere condolences to Alex's parents, Chris and Jean, and his brother, Henry, at this enormously difficult time."