A TEACHER died after he fell more than three metres from an unlit road on a school trip, an inquest had heard.
Jonathan Taylor, 44, taught at Christ the King Voluntary Academy in Arnold and was with pupils in the ski resort of Martei in Austria when the accident took place.
The inquest heard he had been drinking and socialising with other teachers when he slipped and fell down a steep bank while walking back to his hotel.
Father-to-be Taylor lost consciousness within minutes and died as a result of injuries sustained in the impact of the fall in the early hours of March 31.
The inquest heard Mr Taylor, who lived with his wife in Arnold, had drunk a "moderate" amount of alcohol during the evening of March 30, after the pupils had gone to bed, and was nearly twice the drink drive limit at the time of his death.
Post mortem tests showed he suffered severe injuries as a result of the impact of the fall and coroner Mairin Casey recorded a verdict of accidental death.
She said: "This particular section of road was extremely dangerous. It was a poorly lit track. It did not have suitable provision for pedestrians; the edge of the track was crumbling away.
"If the accident had happened in this country the police would have been referring the section to the Highways Agency."
David Wilson, chair of governors, said: "The Governors of Christ the King School would like to thank students, parents, staff and the wider community for their support and prayers following the tragic and untimely death of Jonathan Taylor on the school skiing trip to Austria at Easter.
"During this term, the school has investigated the circumstances surrounding the incident to ensure its policies and supervision expectations were adhered to.
"The school can confirm that no students were involved in the incident and that they were safe, in the hotel, under the care of other experienced school staff.
"Jonathan was a respected, professional and gifted teacher who is greatly missed in school. Students have and will commemorate his commitment to them in a fitting memorial."
