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Folkestone photographer dies after hotel fall in Kathmandu, Nepal

By: Alex Jee ajee@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 06:00, 07 September 2021

Updated: 15:07, 07 September 2021

A photographer died after falling from a hotel window while on holiday, an inquest has heard.

Folkestone man Oliver Robinson arrived in Nepal just hours before the tragic incident occurred.

Oliver Robinson died after falling from a hotel window. Photo: Facebook

The 25-year-old had travelled to Kathmandu with members of a town twinning expedition in February, 2020, where he was to serve as a photographer for up to six weeks.

The inquest into Mr Robinson's death heard that he had a long history of mental health issues, including OCD, severe anxiety and depression, as well as drug-related psychosis.

It also heard that just before the trip, he had suffered a brief relapse where he reported sleep deprivation, paranoia and other symptoms, but was said to have improved in the days leading up to the travel date of February 7.

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Ray Johnson, one of the expedition's leaders, said in a written statement to the court that the team had agreed to take the photographer on the expedition as planned after consulting with his family.

However, Mr Johnson said that Mr Robinson had appeared 'unsettled' while on the plane from Gatwick to Doha and subsequent flight to Kathmandu, asking on numerous occasions where he was and why he was there.

The inquest was held at Archbishop's Palace, Maidstone, after more than a year's wait

This confusion continued upon landing, where the 25-year-old appeared to forget what his baggage looked like, and then tried to get into the wrong vehicle when leaving the airport.

When the team reached the hotel, they agreed to freshen up and meet in the restaurant in half an hour to plan the rest of the trip.

However, a short time later Mr Robinson broke through the window of his fifth-floor room and fell to the ground, sustaining fatal injuries to his upper body.

In the inquest findings, which were delayed for over a year due to difficulties retrieving statements and documents from Nepal, coroner Katrina Hepburn said that it was difficult to surmise why exactly Mr Robinson broke the window.

Making a narrative conclusion, she said: "While there is mention of a half-empty whisky bottle in Mr Robinson's room, and alcohol or drug relapses were known to cause him to suffer psychosis, it is very difficult to suggest why [he would break the window and fall].

"I'm sorry I can't give you a definitive answer despite all of the months that have passed"

"I certainly cannot reach a conclusion of suicide, but there is also not enough evidence to convincingly say that it was misadventure or drug or alcohol related".

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Addressing Mr Robinson's family, who were in court, she said: "I’m sorry I can’t give you a definitive answer despite all of the months that have passed.

"Please accept my sincere condolences for this deeply tragic loss."

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For more information on how we can report on inquests, click here.

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