Victims of fatal Skibound coach crash to seek damages
Skibound resort staff injured when the coach carrying them home from the Alps at the end of the ski season crached, killing the driver, have appointed lawyers Irwin Mitchel to represent them.
Head of the firm’s travel law team Clive Garner said: "While we do not yet know the cause of this latest tragic coach crash, we are determined that our clients receive the answers they want and the justice that they deserve.
"We will also ensure that all of our clients receive the support, medical treatment, rehabilitation, and ultimately the damages, that they need to help get their lives back on track. We will also do all that we can to ensure lessons are learned to improve the safety of future coach travel."
The crash happened on April 16, when a vehicle operated by Classic Coaches, part of TGM Group, left a steep mountain road close to the French ski resort Alpe d’Huez.
29 of the 50 passengers were taken to hospital, three of them with serious injuries.
"We have heard first-hand accounts of the terrible ordeal that all of those on board the coach experienced, as well as the continuing, life-changing consequences it has had on their lives," said Cheryl Palmer-Hughes, a solicitor in Irwin Mitchell’s travel law team.
"For many, this was their first experience of working abroad and the journey home should have marked a fitting end to a fantastic time in their lives. Tragically, it will now be memorable for all of the wrong reasons."
Nicola Read, 19, from Sheerness in Kent, suffered soft tissue injuries and psychological trauma in the crash. She was treated at Grenoble Hospital following the incident, before returning to the UK for further ongoing treatment.
"That was the worst day of my life," she said, "and I can only begin to imagine how terrible it must be for the families of not only the driver but others who remain critically injured in hospital following the crash.
"We all simply want to know what happened and what can be done to ensure it doesn’t happen again. The last month has been the most difficult time of my life and I would not want anyone to have to face what I’ve been through. It has been absolute hell."
Garner added: "Investigations into this tragedy are continuing and we are liaising with the police in France with this in mind. We will also be conducting our own investigations into the circumstances of this incident.
"We would urge any witnesses to the incident, including any passengers, to contact us to assist our investigations."
Irwin Mitchell have acted for British victims of bus and coach crashes in France, Spain, Gran Canaria, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Turkey, Morocco, South Africa, Namibia USA, India and Thailand.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
All eyes on Qatar as Qatar Airways leads a season of global events