Brit dies in rafting accident
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A British PE teacher has been killed in a rafting accident while on a school rugby trip in Australia.
Ian Robinson, who taught at Merchant Taylors' School in Crosby, Liverpool, died when his foot became trapped after the his raft capsized on the Tully River near Cairns, Queensland.
Mr Robinson was head of rugby at the public school, which teaches boys aged eight to 18.
Headmaster David Cook said: 'Ian Robinson has taught at Merchant Taylors' since 1984 and was very popular with staff and boys alike.
'He was an immensely hard-working and caring professional. Over a generation of boys have benefited from his teaching and care. He will be very much missed and very fondly remembered.
'Everyone involved at Merchants is very sad and profoundly shocked. Our heartfelt sympathy is with Mr Robinson's wife and family.'
A statement on the school's website said: 'No other participants were injured but students on the trip and those accompanying them are naturally very shocked.
'They are being counselled by professionals and will be flown back to the UK earlier than originally planned.'
The three-week trip included a series of matches with teams in Brisbane, Sydney and Darwin, as well as surfing and rafting.
There were 24 boys on the tour aged between 15 and 17, accompanied by four teachers.
Tributes have appeared on the website Facebook, with one former pupil describing him as a 'fantastic teacher and friend to all of us'.
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