A TEENAGER drowned in a boating tragedy while on holiday in Spain, it emerged last night.

Derek Hynd, a 19-year-old who originally came from Durham City, had learning difficulties caused by meningitis.

He failed to return from a kayaking trip off the beach at Estartit, on the Costa Brava.

Derek, who swam and ran at a national level in disabled sporting events, is believed to have drowned after falling out of the kayak while on a family caravanning holiday.

His body was found floating face down in the water off the popular tourist beach after a massive two-day air-sea search.

Last night, his parents, Anne and Steve, and sister Heather choked back the tears as they spoke of the tragedy after returning to the family's new home in Essex.

Prison governor Steve, 43, said: "Derek, his sister and myself all went kayaking on the Wednesday and Derek enjoyed it so much that he wanted to go back the next day.

"He took 800 pesetas and walked the mile to the beach on Thursday afternoon and booked a kayak for an hour, but he never came back."

Derek's body was found on Saturday night off the beach at Estartit. He was still wearing the clothes he went kayaking in.

His father said: "We don't know exactly what happened but we are assuming that he had some sort of accident on the kayak and drowned.

"We can't believe what has happened. Derek was such a strong swimmer, he ran and swam at a national level. We never thought anything like this would happen to him.

"Derek had slight learning difficulties but physically he was very fit. He had a gym in the garage at home and was a member of the local sports club.

"We moved here from Durham two years ago because there were greater employment opportunities for him. He found work straight away in a McDonald's and had a couple of security jobs."

His wife Anne, 44, said: "He was the most generous and loving son. The only fault that he had was that he was too good and kind to people. He was an angel."

A Foreign Office spokesman confirmed Derek's death was being treated as a tragic accident by the Spanish authorities.