A climber from Northumberland has died after falling 90 feet in a canyon in the United States.

Christian Badcock, from Haltwhistle, fell while climbing in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, near of Las Vegas, Nevada.

The 23-year-old was an experienced climber and had spent the last nine weeks in the US.

Mr Badcock's father Laurence said his son lived for climbing and always avoided taking unnecessary risks.

We always told him to be careful, like all parents do

Laurence Badcock

Mr Badcock had been attempting to scale the canyon wall with another man, when he fell on Sunday.

Although he was airlifted to hospital, he died of extensive injuries on the way to the University Medical Centre in Las Vegas.

His father Laurence Badcock, 59, said: "Christian was a lovely chap.

"He never said a wrong word about anyone and anyone who knew him loved him from the start. That is how people will remember him.

"All he dreamed about was rock climbing.

"He had been all over the place, and he was very good at it, but unfortunately this time something went wrong.

"We always told him to be careful, like all parents do. We just don't know what happened."

Sergeant Clint Bassett, search and rescue co-ordinator for the Las Vegas Police, said Mr Badcock may have unclipped a safety rope.

Mr Badcock was climbing at Red Rock canyon in Nevada

Mr Bassett said: "He had gone over the top. His partner was set to follow him and turned around to get ready to make his climb when he fell 90 feet onto his head.

"He missed the other guy by about 10 feet.

"It appears he may have unclipped his rope, which he never should have done as he was waiting for his partner to climb up.

"The particular climb he was doing was a pretty difficult climb."

Mr Badcock had been staying with English and Irish friends at a nearby camp, but none was with him at the time of his death.

The group had spent two weeks climbing at Yosemite National Park in California before beginning their stay in Nevada.

The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is one of the most popular autumn and spring climbing areas in the United States.

Two people have now died climbing at the canyon in the last year.