A ‘smart and popular’ 22-year-old who died in a motorbike crash has been remembered at his former school.

A service was held at Highgate School this week to remember Victor Fox, who died after falling into a gorge in India.

Victor, who lived in Muswell Hill, was exploring India with three close friends.

A family tribute given to the Ham&High said: “All his family and friends are devastated by the loss of a brilliant, affectionate, caring, smart and popular boy.

“Our family is incredibly proud of what he achieved in his short life and have been comforted by the warm words of his friends, some of whom we had not previously met.”

Victor left Highgate with A-levels in philosophy, French and economics.

He had recently graduated from Bristol University, where he received a first class degree in philosophy.

Mark James, principal of Highgate Junior School said: “Victor was a warm-natured, popular and quick-witted young man, whose natural intelligence shone through during his time with us.

“We were also proud to see him excel while at university.

“The Highgate community will continue to remember

Victor with great warmth, as we cherish the memories we have of him.”

The family believe Victor and his friends were riding motorcycles from Rishikesh to Silkiara.

Victor hit a rock in the road and lost control of his rented motorbike and fell into the gorge in the Uttarkashi district on May 12.

His three friends, Will Murphy, James Hester and Dom Grimshaw, rushed to contact the police.

Mr Murphy said: “Victor brought so much energy, character and laughter to every situation.

“We loved him for his intelligence, his ridiculous sense of humour, his beautiful cheeky face, his impressive balance of work and social life, his mature rationality in all situations.

“Victor was a born adventurer.

“Countless times in the last two months did I find myself in situations that I would not have had the courage to be in alone.

“He loved to be, as he would put it, ‘amongst it’.

“As his studies progressed, his intellectual strength only became more obvious.

“As a philosopher and friend, he would challenge my beliefs on a great deal of things, constantly proving his deep and mature understanding of the world.”

Special response forces spent three hours attempting to rescue him, but Victor died on the way to hospital, it is believed.

His family said he was inspired by new countries and cultures.

“Victor worked on a building site over the summer to save up to go travelling,” they said.

“Following in the footsteps of his sister Sasha, he developed an interest in South America.

“He travelled around Mexico with friends on holiday from university and after graduating he decided to spend four and a half months in Colombia on his own.

“He was fascinated by the country and met some wonderful people.”

“He was only in London for a week before he went to meet his friends in India in March.

“Having travelled from Mumbai to Pondicherry and Kochin to Rishikesh they were in the last week of the trip when the accident happened.”

Victor’s family, including his parents Roger and Gordana Fox, said they were “extremely grateful” to his three friends for staying with him in India while arrangements were made for the repatriation of his body.

A service in celebration of Victor’s life was held on Monday at Highgate School.

The family has thanked the school for allowing the dining hall to be used so people could remember Victor.