Student drowned after fall from white water raft

A sixth former drowned on a school trip to Ecuador when he fell out of a white water raft and his foot became wedged between rocks under water, an inquest heard.

Other pupils could see the arms of Mathew Hitchman, 17, flailing above the surface of the fast flowing river, but with the strong currents, pulling him free proved impossible.

The inquest heard how two boys went into the water in an attempt to free Mathew, a student at the Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe, while a guide also tried.

Coroner Crispin Butler recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.