The public has raised more than £9000 to help the family of a Scots tourist killed by a rampaging elephant during a safari in Thailand.

Diver Gareth Crowe, 36, from Dunoon, was on a trekking expedition with his family when the attack happened.

Local newspapers reported the elephant threw the tourist and his step-daughter Eilidh Hughes, 16, from its back before goring Mr Crowe with a tusk and then running into the forest. His partner Catherine Hughes, 42, and stepson Mark did not take part in the trek.

Eilidh was injured in the attack and is being treated for minor injuries in hospital. It is understood a local guide was also hurt. The attack happened at about 2.30pm local time on Sunday on the island of Koh Samui.

Michael Crowe has told STV News that their priority is getting his brother's body and his family home. An online fundraising campaign to help them has now reached £9000, after initially setting a target of £3000.

The Just Giving page says: "We're raising £3,000 to help cover costs and bring family together because of recent tragedy in Thailand re: Gareth Crowe"

His brother Michael Crowe has revealed the family's ordeal during the safari trip and refuted claims that Mr Crowe goaded the animal. Local reports claimed he teased the animal with a banana.

Mr Crowe told STV News: "As far as we know it's nonsense, it's certainly not part of Gareth's character to do something so silly. He's very responsible.

"He leads large diving teams on a commercial operation so to do an act like feed a live animal during a safari would be completely out of character. On top of this we know it's just not true."

He added: "We don't know a lot about what happened with the accident to be fair. We know he has come off an elephant on a safari ride and he's passed away through the accident.

"Aside from that, that's all we really know. Our main concern is for the family, for his stepson and stepdaughter and his partner Catherine that we get them home as soon as possible.

"They are going through quite an ordeal. They are out there on their own and and our other main concern is getting Gareth home. We know they have been getting some assistance from the chief of tourism (in Thailand), which we really appreciate."

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "We are offering support to the family of a British national who has sadly died following an incident in Koh Samui, Thailand, and are making contact with the local authorities to seek further information."

The charity World Animal Protection said its thoughts were with the man's loved ones but the incident was a "stark reminder" that elephants are not meant to be ridden.

A spokeswoman said: "Elephants are cruelly abused to tame them enough so they give rides and perform in shows.

"Most tourists don't know about these abuses, or the potential danger they put themselves in. If you can ride it, hug it or have a selfie with a wild animal, then the chances are it is cruel and the animal is suffering."