A ROYAL Navy aircraft engineer has died from his injuries after a shore leave incident on the island of Tenerife.

John Hutchinson's grieving parents last night paid tribute to him as an adventure-loving lad who cherished his family and friends.

It is believed that the 21-year-old, from Darlington, suffered critical head injuries after falling from a balcony.

He never regained consciousness and died in a Tenerife hospital on Sunday with his parents, Liz Cooke and Brian Hutchinson, at his bedside.

His mother said: "We're all devastated. We are just very thankful we had some time with him to say goodbye."

The incident happened on Thursday morning during four days shore leave from HMS Invincible.

Mr Hutchinson and a friend are understood to have been staying in an apartment in the Playa de las Americas resort.

His stepfather, Dave Cooke, said: "He had severe head injuries. He appears to have suffered a fall from the balcony, but no one knows for sure yet."

A ship's investigation is to be carried out into his death and an investigating judge has been appointed to carry out inquiries on the holiday island.

A former pupil at Carmel RC School in Darlington, he joined the Royal Navy aged 17 and was based with 801 Squadron at Yeovilton, Somerset.

He joined HMS Invincible, Durham City's adopted ship, in September for sea trials, before sailing to Tenerife.

"He just loved the lifestyle and he loved his job," said Mrs Cooke. "He worked long shifts and did a lot of studying, but he was always in close contact with his family," she added.

She said that although based in the south, he visited family and friends in Darlington whenever possible.

"He was still in contact with friends from when he was very young, who he always saw when he was here. And he loved his family," she said. "It's just a tragic, tragic accident."

Mrs Cooke paid tribute to the Royal Navy for its support.

Before the ship left Tenerife, she and Mr Hutchinson were invited on board for a special service for their son.

She said his colleagues are all very upset by his death.

Mr Hutchinson's body will be flown back from Tenerife by the Navy once investigations are completed and a military funeral is expected to take place next week.

Prayers were said yesterday at Mr Hutchinson's former school, Carmel Technology College, Darlington.

Headteacher James O'Neill, said: "The staff are devastated by this news. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, and his sister who is in school.

"He was a nice lad, a genuine young man with a career ahead of him. This really is an appalling tragedy."

He also leaves a sister Fiona, 15, and a brother Richard, 19.