Villagers paid tribute last night to an 11-year-old boy killed during a skiing accident on a family holiday in America.

Friends of Benjamin Trichler, of Hill View, Uffington, near Wantage, described the youngster as a "beacon of light".

Benjamin hit a tree while skiing on an intermediate run at the Breckenridge Resort, in Colorado, on Thursday morning.

An emergency ski patrol was called to the resort yesterday morning at around 9.30am local time after the accident and the boy was given life support and taken to Breckenridge Medical Centre.

But paramedics could not save him and he was pronounced dead just after 10am.

Teachers at King Alfred's Sports and Community College, in Wantage, where Benjamin started in September, said he was an outstanding student and a model pupil.

Jo Halliday, the assistant principal at King Alfred's, said Benjamin was very active and enthusiastic.

She said: "All the staff and students are deeply saddened by the news that we have heard. Ben was an outstanding student in every sense. He was a really good role model to all students at King Alfred's and his kind and caring qualities shone through in everything that he did."

Headteacher of Uffington Primary School, Elizabeth Robertson, said Benjamin had every prospect of a happy and successful future. In his seven years at the school, he represented all the school teams, played netball at county level and sat on the school council.

She said: "He was a bright, able and very athletic boy with a kind and caring attitude who will be sorely missed."

It is not known when parents Grant, who is a warden at St Mary's Church, Uffington, and Joanna Trichler, a teaching assistant at Uffington Primary School, are due to fly back.

Benjamin's twin sisters, Megan and Penny, 14, are also pupils at King Alfred's. Mrs Halliday said support, care and counselling will be available when term begins on Monday.

Benjamin was described by another neighbour as "a beacon of light" from a family which had a strong sense of community. Reverend Rosanna Martin, of St Mary's Church, said: "I am in contact with Ben's family and they are, of course, devastated.

"Our love, prayers and sympathy go out to the whole family at this desperately sad time and they can be assured of our support when they return home."

Luke Whitfield, 11, who attended Uffington Primary School with Benjamin until last year, said: "He loved playing sport, especially swimming, football and rugby and he was good at every subject at school."

Resort spokesman Nicky DeFord said: "Breckenridge Ski Resort, the Ski Patrol and the Vail Resorts extend their deepest sympathy and support to all of his family and friends."