Man dies after falling from statue in Exeter

Tom Callaway was described by friends as "one of a kind"

A man has died after falling from a city centre statue late at night.

Tom Callaway, 18, was climbing the 15ft (4.5m) General Buller in Exeter on Saturday when he fell and suffered serious neck and back injuries.

He was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital where he died on Sunday morning.

Mr Callaway, from the Exeter area, was described by a friend as "genuinely the funniest kid I knew".

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The statue is a well known landmark which depicts General Redvers Buller on horseback, mounted on a large granite plinth.

Devon and Cornwall Police were called to the statue at 23:40 BST on Saturday.

The statue is at the junction of New North Road and Hele Road in Exeter

His sister Charmain said: "Life just won't be the same without you Tommy and I know I'll miss you every single day.

"Until we meet again you truly were the kindest and most loving little brother I could ever wish for."

There have also been tributes paid to the teenager on social media.

Tom Callaway's friend Will Squier said on Facebook: "I can't believe that you've gone, at only 18 years old as well.

"Never take life for granted people, live your life to the absolute fullest like this guy did."

General Buller was Commander-in-Chief of British forces in South Africa during the second Boer War.

The statue, erected in 1905, is situated on the route between the city centre and his home at Downes, near Crediton.