THE family of a Co Derry teacher killed in an accident in China have said his death has "completely ripped the heart out of our family".

Craig Church, from Portstewart, died on Tuesday after falling down stairs in the apartment block where he lived in Rui'an, a city on the eastern coast of China.

The 27-year-old was working as an English teacher in the city after moving to China two and a half years ago.

The Ulster University graduate, who was also a talented poet, died on Tuesday after falling down stairs at the apartment block where he lived, along with other teachers from the school.

The tragic news of Craig's sudden death was delivered to his sister, Carrie, who in turn had to tell her parents, Rhonda and Ian.

She said the news had "completely ripped the heart out of our family".

Describing her brother as "very kind" she said: "Nobody I know would have a bad word to say about him.

"He made time for everyone. Despite what their background was, what they looked like, he didn't discriminate at all. He was everybody's friend."

Ms Church said her brother had graduated with an English Literature degree from Ulster University followed by a Masters in Irish Poetry.

After gaining his English as a Foreign Language qualification, Craig moved to China to teach English to young children.

"He had just found his calling," she said.

"He was so amazing with those kids and they adored him as well. The school always sent videos back of him teaching. It made me cry, the amount of times I saw him teaching and how good he was and how he adored them.

"He fell in love with China itself and the people. He was a free spirit. He was easy going.

"He was fun loving and had the patience of a saint. He was just the kindest person. He adopted a dog in China, it just shows you the sort of person Craig was".

Ms Church said the family are now being assisted by the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, who are helping them make the arrangements to bring Craig's body back home.

"They have been absolutely amazing," she said.

"They are helping us as much as they can and we are so grateful. We are just sitting waiting on the phone call. We just want him home".

Ms Church said the family had also been touched by the amount of support they had received following Craig's death.

"We knew how popular Craig was but it has been absolutely overwhelming hearing how much he was loved and how much he impacted on so many people lives, old and young, and it just seems like the whole of the north coast are grieving with us".