Tributes from family of teacher killed in rafting accident

Aug 3 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

Daily Post

THE family of a PE teacher who died on a school trip in a whitewater rafting accident have spoken of their devastation.

Ian Robinson, 47, head of rugby at Merchant Taylors’ Boys’ school in Crosby, was killed on Monday when his raft capsized in Australia during a sporting tour with students.

His foot became trapped in rocks on the Tully River, near Cairns, Queensland.

A statement released by Mr Robinson’s widow, Elizabeth, and the rest of his family, paid tribute to the much-loved teacher.

“Ian Robinson’s family are utterly devastated by his untimely and tragic death in a whitewater rafting accident in Australia,” they said.

“He was dearly loved by his wife, a most-loved son, and a caring stepfather.

“He was warm, caring and considerate with all those he came in contact with, and he will be sorely missed by very many people”.

The former Liverpool St Helens rugby union player joined Merchant Taylors’ in 1984, when former England rugby union winger Mike Slemen was head of PE at the school.

Together they nurtured talent, including that of England rugby forward Ben Kay.

Mr Robinson regularly took students on sporting trips.

The three-week tour to Australia involved a series of games with local teams in the Brisbane, Sydney and Darwin regions, plus a range of leisure-time activities including surfing, visiting a koala sanctuary and whitewater rafting.

A full inquiry is being carried out by the R ‘n’ R White Water Rafting group in Australia.

The school have already said that they will be holding a memorial service in honour of Mr Robinson when pupils return for the start of the next academic year.