Teacher dies on school white-water rafting trip

LONDON, Aug 1 (Reuters) A British teacher has been killed while white-water rafting during a school trip with teenagers to Australia, the school said today.

Ian Robinson, the head of rugby at Merchant Taylors' School in Crosby, Liverpool, died after his raft capsized on the Tully River near Cairns in Queensland and his foot became trapped.

No one else was hurt in the accident yesterday although the boys on the excursion was said to be very shocked.

''Over a generation of boys have benefited from his teaching and care. He will be very much missed and very fondly remembered,'' said headmaster David Cook.

''Everyone involved at Merchant is very sad and profoundly shocked.'' Robinson and three other teachers were leading a three-week trip to Australia where the school's rugby team was playing a series of matches.

The boys, aged 15 to 17, are being given counselling and will now be flown home early from the tour, the school said.

REUTERS AE DS1413