Ten passengers still in hospital following fatal crash
Updated Monday 09:00
Ten people are still in hospital after a school coach crashed on its way back from a ski holiday, killing a teacher.
Peter Rippington, 59, who taught at Alvechurch School, Worcestershire, died and more than 20 people were injured in the crash near Chalons-en-Champagne in northern France in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A teenage girl is also believed to be in a critical condition in a Paris hospital following the accident as the school party travelled back to the UK from the Italian resort of Valle d’Aosta.
Police are investigating whether the coach driver fell asleep at the wheel. The driver, who suffered minor injuries, tested negative for alcohol and drugs and the coach’s electronic log book, which recorded the number of hours driven, showed nothing unusual, reports the BBC.
The 19 adults and 29 pupils on board, who were from Alvechurch School in Worcestershire, were returning from a skiing holiday organised by school trip specialist Interski. There were also two drivers on board.
A message on Interski’s website said: "An accident occurred at 02.30 hours on the morning of 19/02/12 at Chalon en Champagne. A coach returning to the UK from the Aosta Valley, Italy, left the motorway and came to rest at the bottom of an embankment.
"We are saddened and distressed to report the death of a party leader. 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 twenty two passengers with minor injuries and to all others involved in this tragic incident."
Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt said: "The French authorities are investigating the accident and we are working closely with them.
"The FCO has been operating a reception centre in France and a UK helpline all day and we will continue to assist both those who were on the coach and their families and friends at this difficult time. I would like to thank the French emergency services for all they have done."
Diane
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