AN inquest was held this week into the death of a former Stourbridge College student almost two years after he fell 500ft while climbing a New Zealand beauty spot.

Matthew Allison, aged 26, of Halesowen, was trying to free a tangled rope when a tree he was secured to snapped on the Chinamans Bluff rock face in the Dart River Valley near Queenstown.

Black Country coroner Robin Balmain, sitting at Dudley Coroner’s Court today (Tuesday May 31), said it was a “tragic accident” but the fun-loving former Windsor High pupil “died doing something he loved doing.”

Matthew, who was working in Wanaka, New Zealand, as a canyon guide, had been climbing with friend James Briscall in November 2009.

The inquest heard Matthew, the more experienced climber, was leading the attempt.

The pair scaled the Ravages of Time route but tragedy struck at around 7.30pm as they abseiled down. A rope became jammed and as Mr Allison tugged to free it a small tree he was anchored to gave way.

Mr Balmain said Mr Briscall told New Zealand police at the time: “I was yelling ‘stop’ because of the scene I could see unfolding.”

Mr Briscall then saw Mr Allison fall and spent the night on a ledge with no ropes calling out for his friend. He was rescued by emergency services the next day after the pair were reported missing.

Mr Balmain recorded a verdict of accidental death due to head injuries. He said in light of the accident the New Zealand coroner had warned climbers not to rely on vegetation as an anchor.

Matthew’s mom Melanie Allison, of Halesowen, said: “There wasn’t anything else for him to secure himself to.”

After the inquest she said: “He did absolutely everything by the book, he did everything right.”

Mrs Allison said her son had said ‘life doesn’t get any better than this’ moments before his death.

She said: “Matthew was an amazing and loving son and brother.

“He lived each moment of life to the full, achieving so much. Everyone who met him was bowled over by his bubbling enthusiasm for life.”