Andes cliff fall killed son 'living a dream'

Graduate Anthony Prowell, 26, was killed when his two-man dune buggy went over the edge of a cliff in the Andes.

His body was reported to have been found near the buggy while that of Australian tourist Millie Johnston, 25, who was travelling in the same vehicle, was found in the River Pastaza last Thursday.

His mother Dorothy Payne, 47, of 21st Avenue, Hull, said her son was "living his dream" and no one was going to stop him from doing what he wanted to do.

She said: "Travelling was something he had always wanted to do. He had no kids and no ties and had just graduated, so I told him to go for it.

"He was having an amazing time. He had saved up to go for over a year, working in McDonalds and saving the money."

The forensic science graduate was half-way through a three-month holiday with friends from the University of Central Lancashire, Preston, when tragedy struck near Banos, a town about 300km south of the capital Quito.

Mr Prowell had already visited Copacabana in Brazil and hiked the Inca Trail in Peru and was due to return to the UK on August 10. He had hoped to start a career in police forensics.

He was keeping his friends up to date with his adventures via Facebook. His last entry on June 8 stated: "About to have a 'Turkish steam' then off to the buggies for dirt tracking."

Girlfriend Samantha Kellet, 19, who is studying psychology and criminology, had been counting down the days until his return.

She said: "He was due to come back in August and we had planned to move in together. I couldn't wait for him to come back.

"As he set off on his travels he mouthed, 'I love you' while he was on the train. I never realised that would be the last time I saw him.

"He was an amazing guy, a really cool guy. He never kept his opinions to himself.

"He was a romantic boyfriend, always doing nice things for me.

"You could have a real laugh with him. He could always cheer people up. He was loved by everyone and he will be greatly missed."

Mr Prowell was reported missing by his travelling companions on June 8 when he failed to reach a checkpoint on the route and search and rescue teams were sent to find him.

His uncle, Chris Prowell, received a phone call the following day to say he was missing and had to break the news to Mr Prowell's mother.

On June 10 the family was told his body had been recovered.

Devastated Mrs Payne, who is being comforted by daughters Simone, 24, and Rayanne, 22, said she could not have wished for a better son.

"He was someone you could always rely on. He was no bother at all. It was the girls who ran rings around me.

"He had a very dry sense of humour; he had a way with words and you only have to look at his Facebook page to see how well liked he was."

Miss Johnston, described as a "very adventurous and experienced traveller'', was four months into a two-year South America trip when the accident happened.