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Teacher killed on Australia trip Teacher killed on Australia trip
(about 3 hours later)
A PE teacher from a public school has been killed in a white water rafting accident on a school trip to Australia.A PE teacher from a public school has been killed in a white water rafting accident on a school trip to Australia.
Ian Robinson, 47, from Liverpool, was leading a group of teenage boys from Merchant Taylors' School in Crosby, Merseyside, on a three-week rugby tour.Ian Robinson, 47, from Liverpool, was leading a group of teenage boys from Merchant Taylors' School in Crosby, Merseyside, on a three-week rugby tour.
He was on a river in Queensland when his raft overturned and his foot became trapped beneath rocks, submerging him under water for several minutes.He was on a river in Queensland when his raft overturned and his foot became trapped beneath rocks, submerging him under water for several minutes.
Despite attempts to save him, he died before an ambulance arrived.Despite attempts to save him, he died before an ambulance arrived.
The accident happened on the Tully River in Cairns at 1230 local time on Tuesday, when Mr Robinson was out on the fast-moving waters as part of a 14-boat flotilla.The accident happened on the Tully River in Cairns at 1230 local time on Tuesday, when Mr Robinson was out on the fast-moving waters as part of a 14-boat flotilla.
Everyone involved at Merchants is very sad and profoundly shocked Headmaster David CookEveryone involved at Merchants is very sad and profoundly shocked Headmaster David Cook
The trip has now been cut short and the party are returning home early. There were 24 boys aged 15 to 17 on the journey, accompanied by four teachers.The trip has now been cut short and the party are returning home early. There were 24 boys aged 15 to 17 on the journey, accompanied by four teachers.
The school said they had travelled to Australia to play rugby against teams from Brisbane, Sydney and Darwin.The school said they had travelled to Australia to play rugby against teams from Brisbane, Sydney and Darwin.
The white water rafting was one of several events organised for the boys in their spare time.The white water rafting was one of several events organised for the boys in their spare time.
A statement on the school's website said it was "with great sadness" that it announced the death of the popular teacher.A statement on the school's website said it was "with great sadness" that it announced the death of the popular teacher.
Headmaster David Cook said: "Ian Robinson has taught at Merchant Taylors' since 1984 and was very popular with staff and boys alike.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."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.""Everyone involved at Merchants is very sad and profoundly shocked. Our heartfelt sympathy is with Mr Robinson's wife and family."
The statement said: "No other participants were injured but students on the trip and those accompanying them are naturally very shocked.The statement 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.""They are being counselled by professionals and will be flown back to the UK earlier than originally planned."
Mr Robinson was head of rugby at the fee-paying boys' school, which teaches boys aged eight to 18. 'Fantastic teacher'
Mr Robinson was head of rugby at the fee-paying boys' school, which teaches boys aged from eight to 18.
Tributes have appeared on the website Facebook, with one former pupil describing Mr Robinson as a "fantastic teacher and friend to all of us".Tributes have appeared on the website Facebook, with one former pupil describing Mr Robinson as a "fantastic teacher and friend to all of us".
Charles Woodward, owner of the rafting company at Tully River, told a local news website that their standards were the highest in the world.
He added that the death was devastating for all concerned and extended his sympathy to the man's family and friends.
Mr Robinson's widow, his second wife, Elizabeth, was said by relatives to be too upset to pay tribute.
Southport MP John Pugh taught at the school with Mr Robinson for several years before joining the House of Commons.
"He was genuinely somebody who had not an enemy in the world and was regarded very positively by all who knew him," he said.
"He was a very good teacher and very affable. He was very well liked."