A British soldier has been found dead in a street in Miami while on holiday for a dance music festival . The 22-year-old , named locally as Private Shaun Cole , was on holiday in the city in Florida when it is thought he suffered a trauma to his head , caused by a blunt instrument.. His body was discovered by a shopper early Sunday morning , and a major investigation has now been launched to establish how he died . The body of Private Shaun Cole was found by a shopper in a Miami street on Sunday . A member of the Royal Scot Borderers , he had recently returned from a military operation in Sierra Leone to help support the fight against Ebola . Eyewitnesses reported seeing the Scottish soldier , who had served two tours in Afghanistan , running along the street with blood pouring from his head before collapsing in a heap . He had recently returned from a tour of Sierra Leone in west Africa , supporting the fight against Ebola . Miami resident Oscar Aguilera , who found Private Cole 's body , said : 'When I saw him not moving and a puddle of blood , yeah , I kind of knew he was n't doing all right . 'It 's not the best way to start a Sunday . ' The 22-year-old had been staying at in room 9 of nearby Royal Budget Inn , a cheap motel in a run down area of Miami , for the weekend with two friends . The sprawling urban area is a known hot spot for drugs and cheap roadside accommodation , and the street where his body was discovered has now been cordoned off by police hunting for clues . Officers are also making enquiries at the motel , according to The Daily Record , while the owner of the hotel Mrs Patel told local media that Private Cole had died from a blunt trauma to the head . Private Shaun Cole and his two friends were staying at the Royal Budget Inn in Miami , pictured . The hotel is located in an area of Florida which is a known hot spot for drugs . Private Cole was in Miami with two friends for the Ultra Music Festival , an annual outdoor event which attracts more than 100,000 from around the world each year . The Ministry of Defence confirmed that there had been a fatality of a service personnel , and that the circumstances surrounding Private Cole 's death were being investigated . His devastated family were too upset to talk when contacted by journalists . On the Wednesday before he death , Private Cole used Instagram to say how much he was looking forward to his upcoming trip . He wrote : 'Do n't know if any of use have heard but I 'm away to Miami tomorrow with 2 gods @ jamisloth89 @ seanward12 . 'this is going to be the best experiences of our life 's ! [ sic ] ' Friends have now paid tribute to 'the brightest star in the sky ' on social media . Jamie Lothian wrote on Facebook : 'It 's killing me inside to write this but still ca n't get my head round any of it ! Private Cole in Miami for the Ultra Music Festival , a dance event which attracts more than 100,000 worldwide to Florida each year . Friends have paid tribute to Private Cole on Facebook and Twitter , with one friends describing him as 'not only my best friend but a brother ' . Private Cole was found in a Miami street and is believed to have suffered from a blunt force trauma to the head . ' I 've not only lost one my best friend but a brother and there is not a moment for the rest of my life that i 'll never stop thinking about you bro ! 'Thanks everyone for the support coz I canny even explain what we are going they over here ! ! 'You 'll be the brightest star in the sky tonight bro ! ! RIP brother until we meet again xxx . ' Tayler Norris wrote on Twitter : 'Absolutely devastating news about Shaun Cole . I ca n't even imagine what his family and friends must feel , RIP what a tragedy . ' Becca D'Angelo posted on Twitter : 'Such heartbreaking news this morning can not believe it . Such an amazing boy . Sleep tight RIP Shaun Cole . ' Private Shaun Cole was discovered in a pool of blood in a rundown part of Miami , after staying at the Royal Budget Inn ( pictured ) . Its owner Mrs Patel told local media that he had died from an injury to his head , made by a blunt instrument . Private Cole had stayed in Room 9 of the hotel with his two friends while they attended the Ultra Music Festival .
The 22-year-old named locally as Private Shaun Cole from Edinburgh . Found by Miami man in a pool of blood in a run-down part of the city . Scottish soldier is understood to have visited Florida for music festival . A British Army officer has been killed and another injured when their vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) while on patrol near Baghdad.