The body of Aaron Goss was found in the Rio Anzu river

Aaron Goss, 17, of Rushden, Northamptonshire, disappeared in Tena on 26 July while swimming with other pupils from Wollaston School.

His body was discovered on Monday in the Rio Anzu river.

Geoffrey Goss said: "Aaron was not meant to go now. He was young, strong, driven and enthusiastic."

He added: "He left this world prematurely, with dreams and ambitions of a successful business career and fathering a loving family of his own.

"With his three elder brothers and younger sister he would sit up for half the night chatting about how their futures would pan out, things like who would get married first, and be the first to have children."

He said the family's thoughts were also with the other youngsters on the trip in what had been a stressful ordeal.

Stressful ordeal

"Aaron would have been impressed at the strength and support given to this family by so many relatives and friends," he said.

The other 17 students on the trip arrived back in Britain on Monday.

Deputy head of Wollaston Secondary School Anne Murdoch described Aaron as a "caring and popular student with a love for the outdoors".

She said: "He will be sadly missed by all who knew him."

Andrew Sortwell, Northamptonshire County Council director for children and young people, said it would continue the counselling work already started with Aaron's fellow pupils and staff.

Adventureworks, the company which organised the trip, has launched an investigation which may involve bringing in outside experts.

It said: "Our own inquiry into the events surrounding this incident has already begun, but will not be completed until we have been able to debrief the expedition leader and the assistant leader, once they are back home.

"It might also be necessary to obtain the views of independent experts."