A popular Oxford University student plunged to his death after climbing a 200ft crane in a dare, reports Tim Hughes.

Kai Dawson, 21, a student at St Edmund Hall, had inched his way out to the end of the jib before losing his grip and falling to his death in the back garden of a house in Rectory Road, east Oxford.

It is thought that Mr Dawson, who was in his final year of engineering studies, had climbed the crane as a dare, following an evening's drinking in city centre pubs.

Police were called to the scene just after midnight on Saturday after a passer-by heard someone shouting from the top of the crane. Officers could not hear or see anyone on the crane and went away - unaware that the student lay dead just yards from them.

The alarm was raised on Saturday afternoon when a neighbour saw the body in the garden.

Det Chief Insp George Turner said the death appeared to be a tragic accident. He said: "It appears that the young man had fallen from the end of the crane jib, which was about 200ft high and overhanging the neighbouring gardens."

"There is no doubt they were in high spirits and had had quite a few drinks. There seems to have been some horseplay which has resulted in Mr Dawson climbing over a large fence and getting on to the building site."

Mr Dawson suffered multiple injuries - his fall being broken by a tree. An ambulance was called but it was realised he had been dead for many hours.

His body was identified at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, by a fellow student.

Anyone with information which could help the police inquiry is asked to contact Oxford CID on 01865 266000.

Story date: Monday 14 February

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