Scottish school pupils injured in France bus crash

A SCOTS teacher remains in hospital following a school bus crash in northern France in which eight pupils were also injured.

Around 50 pupils from Dalbeattie High School were travelling on the bus. Picture: Geograph

The bus, carrying 54 pupils from Dalbeattie High School and six adults, was in collision with a car in Normandy on Monday afternoon.

Eight pupils were taken to hospital as a precaution and three were kept in overnight, but they have since been discharged. One teacher remains in hospital.

Firefighters at the scene cut some pupils free from the wreckage.

The crash happened near Alencon in Normandy, on the first day of the trip.

Injured pupils were taken to Alencon Hospital and La Ferte-Mace Hospital. It is understood the UK ambassador to France, Peter Ricketts, visited the injured teenagers in hospital.

Dumfries and Galloway Council has decided to bring the children home.

Director of education Colin Grant said: “The well-being of all those on the trip is our priority. Following discussions, we have decided to bring the group home.

“The group has been given excellent support locally. We are in regular contact with the group and are continuing to monitor the situation.”

The driver of the car is thought to have been seriously injured in the crash, local media reported.

A tweet sent from the school’s Twitter account at around 2pm on Monday had shown a view from the bus window with the comment: “View from the Dalbeattie High adventure bus is not too shabby! Had our lunch & 2hrs from the Chateau de 
Tertre.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We are closely monitoring the situation in France following a bus crash involving a school trip from Scotland and our thoughts are with those affected and families worried about loved ones.

“The Scottish Government is in direct contact with Dumfries and Galloway education department and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, and we stand ready to offer support and assistance as appropriate.”

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are in contact with the authorities in France following a bus crash. We have been in contact with the school and offered consular assistance.”