Cork student, 17, dies in tragic accident while on holiday in Greece

Alex McKee, who won a Young Scientist award earlier this year, was due to begin his Leaving Certificate year this autumn

Alex McKee was due to begin his Leaving Certificate year at Terence MacSwiney Community College in Knocknaheeny in the coming weeks. Picture: David Keane

An award-winning student from Cork has died in what is understood to have been a tragic accident while on holiday in Greece.

Alex McKee, 17, was found dead on Sunday at his accommodation on the Aegean island of Kimolos, it is understood.

An autopsy is due to take place today and is expected to establish the teenager's cause of death.

However, local reports have said that the young student, who has been described as “extremely bright and talented”, suffered a tragic accident.

Mr McKee won the prestigious Ombudsman for Children's Office (OCO) Award at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition earlier this year, along with two classmates.

He was in Greece visiting relatives with his mother and sister. His mother is originally from Greece and his father is Irish.

Mr McKee was due to begin his Leaving Certificate year at Terence MacSwiney Community College in Knocknaheeny in the coming weeks.

Tributes paid to talented student

Local Fianna Fáil councillor Tony Fitzgerald said, when contacted by the Irish Examiner, that the student's death had hit the local community hard.

“It’s very sad," Mr Fitzgerald said.

“He was such a talented young lad. With his recent achievement at the Young Scientist exhibition, himself and his colleagues were so excited and very proud of what they achieved. He put in so much work, there was such excitement.

“My deepest condolences to his family, friends and his fellow students and teachers at the Terence MacSwiney Community College. It is heartbreaking for them all."