FRIENDS of a 17-year-old boy who fell to his death from the Wyvern car park have paid tribute to a ‘brother’.

Ashley McKinnon died after falling from the top floor of the car park on Thursday night.

Since then, a growing collection of flowers have been left at the site in Islington Street.

Damion Davies, 21, of Wavell Road, Pinehurst, described Ashley as his best friend and “brother”.

He said: “I met him about two years ago and he was going through a rough time.

“I took him under my wing and we became very close, like brothers.

“He always looked out for me and I always looked out for him.

“He was a good kid, he had a pure heart and looked out for everyone.

“He was always making everyone smile and making them happy. He was always up for banter with friends and a good laugh.

“He was strong and pure at heart, always looking out for other people.”

“It’s hard to talk about. I miss him and I can’t believe it’s happened.”

Police officers and ambulance crews were called to the Wyvern multi-storey at 9.30pm on Thursday after reports of someone falling.

Attempts were made to treat Ashley, but he died at the scene.

Police are not treating his death as suspicious.

Damion said: “It was probably an accident. He was up there on his own. He wouldn’t have had any intention of doing anything like this.”

Damion said he thought Ashley no longer had any relatives in Swindon but said the teenager was close to his girlfriend and her family, and they looked after him.

“His family moved away a while ago. I was his family. We were each other’s family,” Damion added.

He said Ashley was interested in bricklaying and had talked of owning his own construction company one day.

Another mourner at the scene said Ashley was due to begin studying at Swindon College soon.

Aaron Devenney, 19, of Spring Close, also went to the car park yesterday to lay flowers for Ashley.

He said: “He was always such a nice, happy kid.

“He always had time for everyone. It’s such a shame that this had to happen.”