British teacher dies in school coach crash in France

A SCHOOL teacher has died after a coach carrying 29 pupils crashed in Northern France.

The ski company that organised the trip said a 59-year-old teacher who led the party died in this morning’s crash.

The pupils, from Alvechurch Middle School in Worcestershire, were returning to the UK from the Aosta Valley, Italy, when the coach left the motorway and came to rest at the bottom of an embankment.

Interski Snowsport School said four people were left with serious injuries following the crash near the city of Reims in the Champagne-Ardenne region, while 22 people were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Twenty-one adults were on the coach when it crashed on the A26 at Chalons-en-Champagne. There were two drivers on board, along with six Interski instructors and 13 adults belonging to the school party, the ski company said.

It said in a statement: “We are saddened and distressed to report the death of a party leader following a coach accident in the Reims area of Northern France at approximately 2.30 GMT this morning.

“Our thoughts are with the bereaved family and friends, to whom we offer our sincere condolences.

“We also extend our sympathy to the four seriously injured passengers, to 22 passengers with minor injuries and to all others involved in this tragic incident.”

It added: “We understand that the coach in question veered from the motorway before coming to rest on its side at the foot of an embankment.

“The emergency services were alerted by passengers on a following coach, which stopped and assisted with the evacuation and rescue.”

Casualties were taken to two local hospitals, with 27 admitted in all.

Those who escaped uninjured are being cared for by the French Red Cross at a sports complex in the region and a rescue vehicle has been dispatched from the UK to bring those fit to travel home.

Images of the dented coach lying on its side without its windscreen were shown on news channels.

The bus was owned by Solus Coaches, which is based in Tamworth, Staffordshire, and was chartered by the ski company.

Initial tests on the driver, who received minor injuries, showed he was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to the BBC.

Local police are said to be investigating whether he might have fallen asleep at the wheel.

The Foreign Office (FCO) is investigating the incident and is providing consular assistance to those affected.

The British Ambassador to France, Sir Peter Ricketts, is expected to visit the crash site today.

The FCO has set up a helpline for any concerned relatives to call on 0207 008 1500.

A bouquet was left outside the school while pupils left an apple with a tribute attached.

It read: “You will be truly missed. You were a one of a kind teacher and you can never be replaced. You were funny and kind and always made everyone’s day.

“We will love and miss you forever and always.”