A Police probe has been launched after a teacher was found dead outside his house in Spanish Point.

Forensic officers investigating Michael Smith?s sudden death combed the house at Hill Crescent, Pembroke yesterday morning in a bid to piece together the final tragic hours of his life.

Mr. Smith, 53 ? who had been a popular reading teacher ? was first found collapsed outside his apartment at 4 a.m. on Wednesday.

Paramedics were only called when a relative came to the scene about an hour later and saw the body still there. The victim, who lived alone, was later confirmed dead at 7 a.m. by an on-call doctor.

One colleague yesterday said the Island?s had lost a ?valuable teacher? who took a keen interest in improving the literacy skills of his pupils.

Michael Charles, general secretary of the Bermuda Union of Teachers, added: ?He still had a lot to give to the students of Bermuda.?understands that when Mr. Smith was first found in the early hours outside his apartment, behind the family home, it was assumed he was asleep.

Detectives investigating the cause of death said foul play has not been ruled out. Acting Chief Insp. Peter Giles, of the Bermuda Police Service, said: ?I would not go as far to say there are suspicious circumstances at this stage.

?But it?s a sudden death and we are looking into the matter.?

Police are now awaiting the results of an autopsy to confirm the cause of death.

That was due to be carried out yesterday by a Bermuda pathologist. But a specially-trained forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Pollanen, will now fly into the Island from Toronto, Canada, on Friday morning to carry out post mortem tests.

It is understood Mr. Pollanen has been called in because officers are unsure whether Mr. Smith?s death was down to natural causes. One officer said: ?This does not mean something suspicious has happened, but it might have and we want to be sure we have ruled out all eventualities.?

Mr. Smith?s body, which was under a blanket, was removed from outside the property at 11 a.m. yesterday, as tearful family members looked on.

The house on Hill Crescent will remain taped off until a cause of death is established. Detectives hope to know how Mr. Smith died by Saturday, and his house will remain guarded until the pathology report is completed.

Mr. Charles knew Mr. Smith both as a teacher and a tennis partner.

He said the last place Mr. Smith taught was Prospect Primary, although he was unsure whether he worked there during the last term. He believed he had also done stints at Somerset and West End primary schools during his teaching career.

Mr. Smith played a vital role in the classroom and made his mark as a ?reading recovery? teacher, working on special programmes to help students who have reading problems.

Mr. Charles added: ?He was quite an easy-going fellow who was really interested in students and their progress as far as reading was concerned.

?We also had some good times and good battles on the tennis court. He was a good competitor.?

The union official said the death would be hard on Mr. Smith?s family, especially at Christmas, and passed on his condolences.

Neighbours living on Hill Crescent yesterday spoke of their shock at Mr. Smith?s death.

Alfred Williams, 55, said he thought Mr. Smith had stopped teaching, but still sometimes dropped into school to help out.

?I don?t know what happened to him but he was a very nice guy,? added Mr. Williams, who said he was woken in the early hours by the ambulance. ?He kept himself to himself but if he knew you he would talk to you.?

One woman, who asked not to be named, said Mr. Smith was ?the type of guy you could bring home to your mother?.

?It?s a little unnerving,? she added. ?When I woke up this morning to go for a walk I saw an ambulance.

?I thought it was for his mother because she?s elderly. Then I came back and saw the police and the tape and got very worried. This is a quiet and friendly neighbourhood so we?re not used to this.?

Although she did not know Mr. Smith very well she said he always came across as a ?wonderful guy?.

?He was quiet, but very friendly,? the neighbour continued. ?He struck me as a very deep person. He wasn?t one of those street guys, he was very polite.

?I just feel awful for the family to have something happen so close to the holidays is always tragic.?

Another neighbour, who also wished to remain anonymous, said it was upsetting to see so many police.

The neighbour who moved to the street in in August said Mr. Smith was a friendly man.

?He helped us move into home, which was really nice of him to do,? she told . ?He was quiet but always polite, just a real great guy.?

Police last night appealed for witnesses and said Mr. Smith was last seen alive at 1 p.m. on Tuesday. Anyone with information should call 299-4315 or 295 0011.