Gary Watson, lead singer of Scottish indie group The Lapelles has passed away, after a tragic accident late on Saturday night in Glasgow.

Confirming the news via their Facebook page, the band said they were “lost for words and struggling to process such a tragedy. Gary was a creative force, a man who without his vision this band wouldn't exist. We have lost a friend, a brother, a hero. At the moment it doesn't seem real.”

Reports suggest that Watson fell into the River Clyde, after spending the night celebrating his 22nd birthday.

A co-founder of the band, The Lapelles had recently completed a stellar support run for The Last Shadow Puppets, and were set to support The Jesus And Mary Chain later this month in their hometown of Glasgow before embarking on their first UK headline tour in October.

Among those paying tribute were Scottish heroes Franz Ferdinand who said:

https://twitter.com/Franz_Ferdinand/status/764836559883493376

Read the full statement from the band below.

Our thoughts are with his friends, family and bandmates at this time.

' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen>

The Lapelles’ Gary Watson has died aged 22