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AN inquest has opened into the death of a popular St Christopher's Senior School teacher who was tragically killed in a road crash while visiting friends and family in the UK.
Mark Jones, 35, died when his car overturned on a dangerous stretch of road near Bath.
Police are still investigating and have appealed for witnesses after his death sparked a furious row over the condition of the A367 and concern over the speed at which motorists drive along the road that links the picturesque South West city to Radstock.
Comments made by some local councillors and residents living close to the crash scene on the weekly Bath Chronicle newspaper's website have infuriated friends.
Some commented that the road has been notoriously dangerous for decades and others blamed reckless motorists for exacerbating the problem. There were also dozens of tributes and messages of sympathy. One wrote: "Education had lost a star but heaven has gained one" and another stated: "You Was A Great Teacher, Sir - Missed By Loads."
Salina Mangin, a colleague of Mr Jones' at St Christopher's School, said: "Mark's untimely and tragic death has hit everybody at St Christopher's School, Bahrain.
"I have been fortunate to have lived abroad for the past 14 years and have met many people but I can honestly say that Mark stood out.
"I was lucky to have been drawn into his circle of friends, an energetic bunch of newly-appointed staff who jelled from day one. Mark's happy personality, his quick-witted dry sense of humour kept me in stitches. He was such a funny man yet an utmost gentleman. I will miss Mark tremendously."
Shiraz Ahmad, also from Bahrain, said: "He was the funniest, kindest, most caring person I'd met in a long time. You'll be sadly missed by everyone here in Bahrain. REST IN PEACE mate, you were the best."
Mr Jones taught at schools in the South West of England before taking up the post as head of Information at St Christopher's Senior School in September.
Head teacher Nick Wilson told our sister paper, Gulf Daily News: "Mark was very highly thought of by students and colleagues alike. He was an excellent teacher. The students loved his lessons and he made very good friends in Bahrain. Mark was a lovely man, a real gentleman, he will be sorely missed."
A coroner's office spokesman said that an inquest had been opened and adjourned into Mr Jones' death and a full inquest will be held once investigations into the tragedy have been completed.
