father of two michael beard, 31, was killed when his bicycle was struck by a school bus just yards from the front gates  a teacher and 'inspirational' rugby coach was killed when his bicycle was struck by a school bus just yards from the front gates father of two michael beard, 31, was cycling to a youngster's rugby tournament when he was struck by a coach carrying pupils he had taught just minutes earlier on wednesday horrified children on the bus were left in tears when they  realised the cyclist lying in the road outside lincoln christ's hospital school was mr beard the popular teacher, who was also a coach with the rfu english touch association, had led a touch rugby class at the school just minutes before the fatal collision parent jan thomas, 34, whose two sons attend the 1,400 pupil school, said: 'it was a horrible thing to happen to someone so wonderfully popular with the children 'apparently when the accident happened some children on the bus rushed to the back and one boy who had just been taught by mr beard knew straight away it was him 'it was a terrible thing for the children to witness' the bus, operated by pccoaches, collided with mr beard at a junction outside the lincolnshire school, but the bus driver and passengers were not injured headteacher martin mckeown said: 'understandably, the whole school is shocked and devastated 'mr beard was a popular and dedicated member of staff who was committed to helping and motivating children to play rugby 'he was on his way to a school rugby tournament when this tragedy happened 'we are still coming to terms with this tragic loss and we are working in partnership with the police, lincolnshire county council and the red cross to support both students and staff 'our heart felt thoughts and condolences are with mr beard's family' friends and colleagues have now paid tribute to the married father of two who was nominated in the coach of the year category in 2014 the 'inspirational' rugby coach had led a touch class at the school just minutes before the fatal collision  tributes have flooded in from pupils, colleagues and friends and flowers have been laid at the site of the collision in lincolnshire  marc rhodes, marketing and events officer for lincolnshire sport and a friend of mr beard, said: 'we are devastated to learn of michael's tragic passing 'mike was a true gentleman who always had a smile on his face and his enthusiasm and dedication to sport and the community was as infectious as it was inspirational 'mike worked tirelessly to support the development of touch rugby in the county and played a huge role in bringing the finals of the england touch series to lincoln this coming summer 'our condolences go to mike's friends and family and all those who were inspired by his personality and his passion for sport he will be sorely missed by the whole sporting community' his aim was to form a competitive team to play at a national level and aid the regional development of touch rugby horrified children on the bus were left in tears when they realised the cyclist lying in the road  was mr beard  he was  a coach with the rfu english touch association and had been nominated in the coach of the year category in 2014  a facebook tribute page was also flooded with messages from parents and pupils tee cook, whose daughter had been taught by the coach, wrote: 'rip mr beard, from what my daughter said you were a one in a million teacher and she will miss you, thoughts are with your wife and beautiful children god bless you xxxx' student mark wilkinson, said: 'ripso sad just wont be the same without him there, thoughts are with his family xx' mr beard, who lived in lincoln with wife nicky, 32, and their children ella, six, and two year old jack, also worked as a nightclub doorman in the city operations manager chris shore said: 'he was a really nice guy, a gentleman, family man and would do anything for anybody 'michael had been at the club since it opened three and a half years ago, usually working four nights a week the bus collided with a cyclist at a junction yeards from the front gates of lincoln christ's hospital school  a fund set up to help support mr beard's family has reached more than £5,000 and hundreds of tributes have been left at the scene of the crash  'he was really genuine, very popular with both customers and staff 'you really couldn't wish to meet a nicer bloke   he always had a smile on his face' sergeant jason baxter, of lincolnshire police, said: 'there were passengers on the bus and the coach driver were not injured' a fund set up to help support mr beard's family has reached more than £5,000 sergeant jason baxter, of lincolnshire police, said: 'tragically, the cyclist has lost his life as a result of the collision 'he is a local man and his next of kin have been informed' police are now appealing for witnesses  and anyone who saw the cyclist or the coach just before the accident should call police on 101 and quote incident number 221 on march 25, or call the collision witness hotline on 01522 558855
lincoln 31 minutes michael beard
michael beard, 31, was fatally struck by school bus outside front gates  teacher and popular rugby coach was cycling to a youngster's tournament  bus was carrying pupils he had taught minutes earlier at lincoln school  tributes for father of two have flooded in from friends and colleagues 