"not prepared to live what he felt was a second-class existence".

They said their son had tried "several" times to kill himself before he "gained his wish". They justified his decision as West Mercia Police launched an investigation.

Police said they had been in contact with a man and a woman following the death. The family solicitor, Adrian Harling, refused to be drawn on the police action.

Julie and Mark James said: "His death was an extremely sad loss for his family, friends and all those that care for him but no doubt a welcome relief from the 'prison' he felt his body had become and the day-to-day fear and loathing of his living existence, as a result of which he took his own life.

"This is the last way that the family wanted Dan's life to end but he was, as those who know him are aware, an intelligent, strong-willed and some say determined young man.

"The family suffered considerably over the last few months and do wish to be left in peace to allow them to grieve appropriately."

Mr James's parents said he had never come to terms with his much-documented extreme physical incapacity.

They added: "Over the last six months he constantly expressed his wish to die and was determined to achieve this in some way."

Mr James, from Worcester, was a promising rugby player and represented England at under-16s level. In March last year he dislocated his spine when a scrum collapsed during a training session at Nuneaton Rugby Football Club.

A spinal research fund created by family and friends in his memory has raised almost £25,000.

An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned at the Coroner's Court in Worcestershire on September 19.

Detective Inspector Adrian Todd said today: "A police investigation is ongoing and officers have spoken with a man and a woman in connection with the case.

"A report will later be submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service and an inquest into the death will take place in due course."

Mr James was in the middle of a degree, reported to be in construction engineering management, at Loughborough University in Leicestershire when he died.

He also played for the England Universities rugby team and England Students team.  He made one appearance for England Universities in 2005 and five appearances for England Students between 2006 and 2007.

A spokesman for the Rugby Football Union said he was a "very good player" who was highly regarded by his team-mates. He said: "We cannot comment about any investigation. What we can reiterate is that we were desperately sad to hear the news of Dan's death and expressed our deepest condolences to his family at the time.

"Our injured player welfare officer, David Phillips, attended Dan's funeral and the RFU president, Brian Williams, sent a letter of condolence to the family on behalf of the Union.

"He was a very good player and very highly regarded. The students' teams are seen as a good stepping stone for people going on to play a very high level of rugby."

Dignity in Dying, an assisted suicide campaign group, said Mr James was the youngest person they were aware of to have committed assisted suicide abroad.

Chief executive Sarah Wootton said the case demonstrates the failures of the law on assisted suicide in the UK.

"Dignity in Dying campaigns for terminally ill, mentally competent adults to have the option of an assisted death, subject to legal safeguards."

"Dan James would not have been eligible for an assisted death under this sort of legislation, but - if it were in place - requests for help to die could be expressed openly to doctors rather than made to relatives behind closed doors.

"It is vital that we face up to these issues and debate them as a society," she added.

Tory MP Ann Widdecombe said: "I'm very sorry for what the young man went through but that is Swiss law and I hope it doesn't become law here."

"I have spoken at length about this. I would be opposed to it because I believe it would be open to vast abuse and we wouldn't be able to control it."

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