People in Bridgnorth were in shock today as they were told of the death of a teenager who was killed when part of a cave collapsed on him.

As youngsters woke to the start of the first day of the Easter school holidays, news of today’s tragic accident at Hermitage Caves spread through the town.

The scene – where the roof of the cave collapsed at 1.50am on to the group of youngsters who were camping out for the night – was sealed off as a police investigation was under way.

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Phillip Dunne, MP for Ludlow, said: “I’m horrified to hear of this tragic accident and my sympathies are with the families of those involved and my condolences go to the family of the young man who has tragically lost his life.

“My understanding is that it appears to have happened in an area which is not open to the public and has got ‘Keep Out’ signs erected.”

Bridgnorth town councillor Brian Jones said: “It’s very shocking. I thought the access to the caves was fenced off. We will have to re-inspect it to make sure people cannot get in.”

The caves, on land owned by Apley Estates, are off Lodge Lane.

One resident of Lodge Lane, whose house backs onto the fields at the site, said: “We did hear kids up there last night, we often hear them through the summer at weekends. They don’t cause any trouble but this is terrible what’s happened really shocking.”

Tim Ball, also of Lodge Lane, said he had played in the caves as a child and had never worried about their safety.

The 38-year-old said: “There have been cave-ins recently because of the tree roots coming through the rock. The roots are pushing the sandstone down and about five years ago they were going to close them for safety reasons.

“It’s the first time I have ever heard of anybody being killed and it’s quite shocking. If they close them down now it will be understandable.”

The Health and Safety Executive said as the incident had happened on private land it was being dealt with by Shropshire Council.

A spokeswoman for Apley Estates said nobody was available to comment on the tragedy this morning and an answerphone message said the office was closed this afternoon.

By Kirsty Smallman and Catherine Roche.