Popular teacher's death a 'very tragic accident'

Inquest concludes at Douglas courthouse

The death of a popular teacher from St Ninian's High School was an accident, an inquest has ruled.

Thirty-one-year-old Robert Campbell died in the early hours of December 20th last year following an incident on Richmond Hill.

He had been walking home from a Christmas night out with some of his colleagues when he was hit by a bus.

Richard Sutcliffe had been driving the coach on the night in question, and told the court he didn't see Mr Campbell until the last second.

A witness in the coach described seeing a figure in the headlights roughly 10 or 12 metres away before the impact.

A number of statements from drivers travelling past Mr Campbell that night described him as stumbling on the pavement and trying to flag them down for a lift.

According to post mortem examiner, Dr Christopher Clauge, the levels of alcohol in his urine would be consistent with vomiting, stupour or potentially a coma.

Coroner of Inquests John Needham said it was a very tragic accident and recorded a verdict of accidental death.