It was something that happened. I have had nightmares

Andy Miller, teacher

He was asked a series of questions by the Cauvet family read to him by the coroner.

He was asked: "Do you feel that with your lack of qualifications that you were suitably qualified to lead or take 15 children on such an activity as river walking?"

Mr Miller replied: "I'd seen enough of it to feel, yes, I was capable of doing that. As it transpired I obviously wasn't.

Swept away

"I have learned a lot more about taking into account weather factors."

Again on behalf of the Cauvet family, the coroner asked him: "Are you aware that Rochelle did not want to go into the water." He replied: "No. I didn't hear that."

Earlier, Mr Miller told the jury at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Tuesday how he was leading the walk, paddling along the edge of the river, when the incident happened.

He descibed how he tried to grab hold of Rochelle and that they were both swept away.

'Total despair'

He said: "But unfortunately I could not keep hold of Rochelle. I can't tell you how I felt."

Mr Miller went on to describe how Hannah Black swept past him in the water.

I just felt it was getting stronger and almost at the same time I heard a series of shouts. These were urgent shouts

Andy Miller, teacher

"She was under control, going down the beck feet first. She looked to know what she was doing.

"I wished I was still in the beck when she went past. I did not even think to shout 'stand up'.

"I was totally in despair."

Mr Miller said he had asked himself if he could have done more.

He said: "It was something that happened. I have had nightmares about that.

"I have asked myself did I let go. I don't think I did.

"I just couldn't hold on any longer."

Strong current

Mr Miller, a teacher for 25 years, told assistant North Yorkshire coroner John Sleightholme he was ahead of the children when the incident happened.

He said he was about to stop the walk, which was along the side of the stream bottom, and turn back because the stream had got stronger.

He said: "I just felt it was getting stronger and almost at the same time I heard a series of shouts. These were urgent shouts."

He said he saw something happening behind the other teacher on the trip, Liz Schofield, who had been at the back of group of youngsters.

Andy Miller said he felt the current getting stronger

Mr Miller told the jury: "I jumped over a wall and ran down the beck side.

"I was obviously looking for some point where I could actually get hold of the person. I didn't know who it was."

The teacher said it was soon after this point he managed to grab hold of Rochelle.

The pair were washed down the stream and made two efforts to get to the bank before grabbing the broken branch.

Mr Miller had told the jury he had never read, been told to look at, or even heard of a Department for Education and Employment handbook about school trips before the week began.

He also said was not familiar with a similar document produced by Leeds City Council's education department.

The inquest continues.