The cave in Bridgnorth where a popular teenager died following a rock slide was today sealed off as police continued to investigate why it partially collapsed.

Aiden Brookes, who was aged 16, of Paulbrook Road in the town near Wolverhampton, was camping out with friends in a restricted part of Hermitage Caves when tragedy struck at 1.50am yesterday.

An 18-year-old girl also suffered back, neck and rib injuries after the pair were hit by falling rocks.

A statement issued by the devastated family of Aiden, an Oldbury Wells A-level student and a keen rugby player, reads: “Aiden was a member of the training cadets in Bridgnorth and was planning on representing the UK at Disney World later this year.

“He was a member of Bridgnorth Rugby Academy and had played for the under-18s on Sunday morning. The entire family are deeply distressed and wish to be left in peace to mourn.”

Aiden leaves behind his parents, Kirsty and Ashley, two-year-old brother Kyron and 11-day-old brother Bryce.

The teenager was born in South Africa and moved to Britain when he was 10.

The sandstone caves, off Lodge Lane, were fenced off last night and today a senior police officer today urged people to be wary about entering all underground cavities following what has been described as a “tragic accident”.

Chf Insp Martin Whitelegg, of West Mercia Police, said: “We are still investigating the full circumstances and the reason why the upper parts of the cave collapsed. But this tragedy clearly demonstrates the inherent dangers posed by caves, old quarries, mines and the like.”

He said the group of friends had lit a fire inside the cave and this could have contributed to the rock fall. The teenagers battled to save Aiden with the help of paramedics, who gave them instructions over a mobile phone.