Ten people remain in hospital and one man has died after a tragic crash involving a coach carrying a school party returning for a skiing holiday in the Italian Alps.
The incident is reported to have taken place in the early hours of Sunday morning near to Chalons-en-Champagne in France. School teacher Peter Rippington, 59, lost his life in the accident, with more than 20 other passengers injured. Of those injured 10 remain in hospital and it has been reported that a girl of 12 underwent surgery in Paris.
The driver tested negative for alcohol or drugs and the drivers' electronic log book — which records the drivers' time at the wheel — showed nothing unusual. The driver is due before a French court later today.
The school had been on a skiing holiday to the popular Vallee d'Aosta in Italy, and were on their way home from the trip when the bus went down an embankment on the A26 motorway, near Reims in France.
Speaking outside the school, Chairman of Governors Bryan Maybee offered his condolences to: "everyone affected by this tragic accident".
He said: "We pay tribute to Peter Rippington, a dedicated and inspirational teacher. We continue to wish for the swift recovery and safe return of those currently being treated for injuries abroad.
I can reassure you that specialist support is in place all for the children and the staff. The Head Teacher's focus at this time is to be available to all those in high school who need her, both children and staff. She joins me in praising Peter Rippington."
Interski, the travel company who organised the trip, said the accident happened around 3:30am, local time, and that most of the children have arrived back in the UK. There were two coaches taking the school group home at the time of the accident, with the second coach unaffected. Onboard the coach involved in the crash were 20 adults and 29 children.
A spokesman for the coach company involved, Solus Coaches, said they were "saddened" to hear of the crash and that they offered their "sincere condolences" to the family and friends of Mr Rippington.
The Foreign Office said they were working closely with the French authorities and that they were assisting in the passengers involved, along with their relatives. the Foreign Office have also said that anyone concerned about relatives and friends should call their help line on 0207 008 1500.
This is a huge tragedy to everyone involved and will most certainly be felt across the ski industry. At Iglu we have been saddened by the news and our thoughts are with all the passengers involved, along with their families and friends.
Source: BBC News
Written by Stephen Adam
© Igluski