Professional surfer, 16, dies while riding wave during Hurricane Irma

A teenage surfer has died while riding a wave in Barbados as Hurricane Irma raged in the Caribbean.

Zander Venezia, 16, is believed to have fallen off his board when he hit a shallow reef while surfing at the Box by Box beach on the east coast of the country.

A post mortem revealed he was knocked unconscious and drowned in the accident on Tuesday.

Barbados is roughly 340 miles away from Barbuda, which was devastated by Hurricane Irma when it made landfall earlier this week.

The World Surf League paid tribute to Mr Venezia as one of the sport’s “favourite sons”.

According to Surfline, he told friends he had just caught “one of the best waves of his life” with his dying words as paramedics treated him on the beach.

Surf instructor Alan Burke told Surfline: “Zander was bleeding, and he wasn't moving. They tried to get him to the beach, which was difficult.

"Box by Box is a tough place to get in and out of, even if you have the ability.

"There's lots of big rocks around, and some stick out of the water."

He added: “I feel empty, we are in shambles over here. I wasn't there, but my wife has been with the Venezia family at the hospital.”

Mr Venezia, who was born and lived on the island, was described by Surfline as a talented surfer with a promising future in the sport.

The World Surf League said: “Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Zander, who was loved so dearly by all who knew him.”