A school was last night in mourning after a former pupil was electrocuted when the cherry-picker he was using hit high voltage power lines.

Dean Bough, 17, from Littlemore, died after the accident in the grounds of Stonelands Barn, off Shilton Lane, near Brize Norton, on Thursday.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has confirmed it is investigating the former Oxford Academy School pupil’s death.

Headteacher Mike Reading said current and former pupils had laid flowers in the Littlemore school’s memorial garden and spent the day remembering Dean.

He said: “Dean was loved not only by his family, but also a wide circle of friends, and that has been demonstrated by the reaction of many people in the community and also in the academy and other schools. He was always in a group of friends. They were a thoroughly good group of kids. They were a group that anyone would look at and say that’s how youth should be.

“His parents will feel devastated because of the potential of the man he was just becoming.”

Dean left the school this year after completing his GCSEs.

Mr Reading added: “It has been a very special day paying tribute to him.

“I know the family and his close friends have appreciated the compassion others have shown to him.

“His affection for other students is what is missed the most.”

Workers in a neighbouring quarry in Burford Road heard screams and called for help at about 3.30pm.

Dean was taken to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital by air ambulance, but was declared dead.

The Shilton Lane property is owned by Andrew Cooper, 52, managing director at Witney-based Cooper Construction, the firm Dean worked for.

Mr Cooper’s personal assistant Julie Marsh yesterday said the small firm was devastated.

She said: “All of us are totally shocked and devastated by it and our thoughts are with Dean’s family.”

Ch Insp Colin Paine said the incident was “horrible”.

He added: “The officers who went there dealt with it very professionally and it has obviously had a significant impact on them.

“I am very proud of the professionalism they all showed at the scene.”

Det Ch Insp Paul Hayles added: “We are treating it as an unexplained death and we are liaising closely with the Health and Safety Executive to ensure the circumstances of the incident are fully investigated.”