A Canadian teacher described as a "wonderful mentor" to his students was killed early yesterday morning when his motorcycle collided with a wall and landed on top of him.

Toby Colombe, a physical education teacher at Mount St. Agnes Academy (MSA)since September 2005, was pronounced dead at 4.10 a.m. at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital after the crash on South Road in Smith's.

His school said in a statement that the 33-year-old "was quick witted, a real team player, free-spirited, loved life and had a passion for students and teaching".

Friend Michael MacPhee said the bachelor, originally from Newfoundland, was "the most positive, upbeat person lots of people would ever encounter. He loved a joke and a beer too," said Mr. McPhee. "He was really a nice guy. He never had a bad word to say about anybody."