THE family of the Kent boy who died on a school skiing trip have thanked friends and well-wishers for their support.

Hayden Waller, 12, a pupil at The Howard School, Rainham, died when he fell 30ft into a crevasse trying to save the life of a friend who had also fallen.

His parents Hayley and Gary and his brother Aaron, 10, returned to the UK on Wednesday after paying their respects at the site of the fatal fall in the ski resort of Mallnitz. The other pupils and staff on the trip have also returned home.

The family visited the Howard School on Thursday to view floral tributes, cards and messages left by the school gates as an an impromptu memorial.

They have also viewed messages left by family, friends and concerned strangers on a website set up in tribute to Hayden.

A message posted on the site from the family reads: "I would like to thank everyone for their kind words and their flowers. I will get around to thanking everyone, but at the moment I’m finding it hard to talk. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."

Hayden’s body was flown back to the UK on Thursday.

An inquest into Hayden’s death is expected to open and adjourn on Wednesday. His body will then be released to his family so they can make funeral arrangements.

Meanwhile, Austrian police are continuing their investigation into Monday's tragic events.