Celebrities have taken to Twitter to pay tribute to a 21-year-old who died in a freak boating accident.

Joel Eager was enjoying his “perfect day” when he fell from a boat and struck his head on its propeller.

He was airlifted to hospital in London following the incident.

Following prompting by Joel’s friends, celebrities including BBC presenter Clare Balding, former Blue Peter and Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas and Sky Sports News presenter Natalie Sawyer have all left messages about his death on the social networking site.

Ms Balding said: “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Joel, of Kings Walk, Shoreham, who previously attended the Weald School in Billingshurst, was out on a rigid inflatable in Chichester Harbour with two close friends when he was injured on Friday. He died in hospital on Sunday.

Joel’s parents Ross and Jane and sisters Ella and Holly paid tribute to him in a statement yesterday, saying: “Joel was an extremely gifted and intelligent young man in the prime of life. Our consolation is that he was enjoying the perfect day in the company of close friends.

“He was poised to embrace a brilliant future, in every aspect of his full life.

“He was dearly loved by every one of us and he did not suffer at all.”

A Weald School spokesman said: “Joel was the type of student who would be an asset to any school.

“Joel made a significant impact in his time at The Weald on all who had the good fortune to share lessons and other activities with him, whether they be fellow students or staff.

“The loss of such a remarkable young man has been keenly felt at the school and our thoughts are very much with his family at this time.”

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: “A full investigation has taken place and this would appear to be a very tragic accident and is not being treated as suspicious.

“The matter has now been passed to the coroner and an inquest will be held in due course.”