FAMILY and friends last night paid tribute to a popular 21-year-old student who was confirmed dead after going missing during a night out in Newcastle.

Police announced yesterday that a body found near the High Level Bridge, in Newcastle, was that of Duncan Gibbon, 21, of Swainby, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

Mr Gibbon, who was a physics student at Edinburgh University, was last seen alive in the Fever club, on the Quayside, at about midnight on Saturday.

His friends split into two groups as they left the bar, but each thought Mr Gibbon was with the other and he was not missed until late on Sunday.

Northumbria Police conducted an extensive search of the Quayside area and found his body on Wednesday.

Last night Mr Gibbon’s parents, Simon and Kate, and younger brother Jake, 19, described Mr Gibbon as a “wonderful man”.

They said: “All of Duncan’s family want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the services, teams, individuals, friends and family who have been working tirelessly throughout the past three very difficult days in the challenging weather conditions to try to locate our lovely boy.

“We would also like to thank the guys who set up the Facebook pages to gather information and those who contributed to it and continue to do so.

“All of the messages on those pages echo and reflect our feelings that Duncan was a wonderful son, brother and friend who brought a smile to everybody he met.

“Every member of his family will miss him greatly. Everybody should remember Duncan with a smile for the lovely, wonderful man he was.”

Many friends have written messages on the Facebook page set up to record memories and tributes of Mr Gibbon.

Melissa Darwent wrote: “Duncan was an amazing boyfriend, best friend, son, brother and friend. From when I first met him when I was 16 I knew he was special and I wasn’t wrong. I will always love you Duncan and I will never forget the best three years of my life.”

Police are still investigating his death.

Detective Inspector Gary Stephenson, of Northumbria Police, spoke about an “extremely difficult investigation and search”.

“Unfortunately, this incident has resulted in the loss of life and we are continuing to investigate the cause of death,” he said.

“Duncan’s family are naturally devastated and all the officers and staff working on this investigation offer their sincere condolences to Duncan’s family.”