A TOP public school teacher and former Bolton School pupil has been killed in a hiking tragedy in America.

National Park rangers discovered the body of David Harrison, who had been reported missing by his father Peter after he failed to return to England from a walking holiday in Alaska.

Mr Harrison, 31, described as a brilliant maths master at one of Shropshire's top private schools, went missing in the remote Wrangell St Elias park.

He is believed to have plunged 300ft down a ravine at Dixie Pass.

His body was found following a huge search and rescue operation.

The experienced hiker, educated at Bolton School and Cambridge University and now living in Shrewsbury, was on holiday alone when the accident occurred.

The week-long search was hindered by the lack of information about his planned trek.

His movements were finally pinpointed thanks to a post card mentioning plans to hike in the park and a credit card charge made to a transportation company in the area.

Maps left at a friend's home were also used to track the walker.

Mr Harrison's parents and sister are being comforted by friends at their home in Vernon Road, Greenmount.

Staff and pupils were also mourning the death of the popular head of maths at Shrewsbury School.

Head teacher Mr Ted Maidment described the bachelor as "an outstanding Cambridge maths scholar."

He added: "David was an outstanding teacher with the brightest of futures before him."

A Park Service spokesman said Mr Harrison's hike took him along a trail that is well-established in the beginning but obscure near Dixie Pass.

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