Inquest Concludes Head Teacher’s Drowning Was Accidental

An inquest has determined that the drowning death of a head teacher during a skiing trip with companions was accidental. Simon Gibbs, 41, of Great Dunmow, passed away in Morillon, France, on 11 February, having fallen from a bridge into a stream, as stated by senior coroner Lincoln Brookes during proceedings at Essex Coroner’s Court. The preceding evening, Mr. Gibbs, who served as the head of New Rickstones Academy in Witham, had viewed a rugby match and consumed “quite a bit” of alcohol alongside two friends. His death was officially attributed to immersion in water resulting from alcohol intoxication. According to Mr. Brookes, Mr. Gibbs’s friends last saw him shortly after 21:00 CET on 10 February, following visits to multiple bars. His companions proceeded to a pizzeria soon after, but Mr. Gibbs did not join them. A walker discovered his body at 08:45 CET the subsequent day. French police determined that all three individuals had consumed “a lot” of beer and cocktails, Mr. Brookes reported. “For reasons that are unclear, [Mr Gibbs] separated from his friends.” “It seems more likely than not based on what the French police say that at some point he has, while intoxicated, fallen from a bridge down to the river below, and in the process may have sustained some superficial injuries.” “Mr Gibbs certainly didn’t intend to end the evening in this way. He didn’t intend to enter the water, he did so accidentally.” Mr. Brookes conveyed his “deepest condolences” to Mr. Gibbs’s family. Following the tragic event, a letter from New Rickstones Academy characterized Mr. Gibbs as a “much-loved colleague and brilliant head teacher.” In July, the academy honored his memory by renaming one of its buildings. For Essex news updates, follow BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external sites. Details on our external linking policy are available.