The mother of a Coleraine teenager who died while on holiday in Bulgaria has said her family is "devastated" by his loss.
Daniel Smyth, who was 19, died in the early hours of Sunday morning following an accident in his hotel bathroom.
Tributes have been paid to Daniel by family and friends, while an online fundraising campaign to help bring his body home and to cover funeral costs broke its target within hours of being set up.
The family are also working with the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust charity to bring Daniel's remains back to Coleraine.
In a post to social media on Sunday evening, the teen's mother, Jema McAuley, said: "I can't believe I am writing this, we are all devastated...over the tragic accident Daniel had early hours of this morning in his hotel bathroom."
She said her family wished to thank those who have offered "amazing" support", adding of her son: "Fly high my baby boy. Love you so much."
Daniel's cousin, Ellen Devenney-Adams, described him in a post as someone with "an infectious smile, curly hair and banter like no other".
"We had a bond I could never explain, we had no secrets and just understood each other," she said.
"You were making each and every one of us proud, the heart and soul of the party, you took everything in your stride and lived life to the fullest. I will never understand why it had to be you, you’ve took a whole piece of my heart with you Dan! I love you more than words can ever describe and will miss you the rest of my life. Forever 19."
A statement on the GoFundMe page said his loss had sent "shockwaves of heartbreak" throughout his family and the wider Coleraine community.
"He was destined for the greatest things in life and we want to bring him home and give him the biggest and best send off without any pressure on his grieving parents," the statement said.
"The whole town has had the kindest words to say about Daniel and we couldn’t be more proud to know he was just a beautiful soul to everyone he ever met.
"We as a family will take comfort in your kind words for days and years to come."
The statement adds: "Any left over donations after the repatriation and funeral will go towards a memorial, any left after this will be given back to the amazing Kevin Bell Trust charity helping bring him home."
