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Briton dies in school bus crash Briton dies in school bus crash
(40 minutes later)
A British man died when a coach carrying UK schoolchildren crashed in France, the Foreign Office has said. A British man died when a coach carrying UK schoolchildren home from a skiing trip crashed in France, the Foreign Office has said.
Pupils from Alvechurch School in Worcestershire were among the 48 passengers on the coach, which crashed near Chalons-en-Champagne. Pupils from Alvechurch School in Worcestershire were among 48 passengers on the coach, which crashed near Chalons-en-Champagne.
Local sources said the fatality was a 61-year-old man. Five people have been seriously injured. Local sources said the man who died was 61. Five people were seriously hurt and 22 suffered minor injuries.
The UK Foreign Office said it was urgently investigating the incident and was providing consular assistance. The UK Foreign Office said the man's next of kin had been informed.
In a href="http://www.interski.co.uk/information/" >statement on its website travel company Interski said there were 13 adults from the school party and 29 pupils on the coach, plus six ski instructors and two drivers. It has sent a consular team to the scene, a spokesman said.
There were 13 adults from the school party and 29 pupils on the coach, plus six ski instructors and two drivers, travel company Interski said in a statement on its website.
It says it has been informed of five serious injuries and 22 minor injuries, all of whom are being treated in hospital.It says it has been informed of five serious injuries and 22 minor injuries, all of whom are being treated in hospital.
Those who are uninjured are being cared for at a sports complex in the region. They are receiving attention from the French Red Cross who are also providing psychological support.
'Veered into ditch''Veered into ditch'
Those who are uninjured are being cared for at a sports complex in the region. They are receiving attention from the French Red Cross who are also providing psychological support.
Interski said the coach, which was returning to the UK from the Aosta Valley, Italy, left the motorway and came to rest at the bottom of an embankment.Interski said the coach, which was returning to the UK from the Aosta Valley, Italy, left the motorway and came to rest at the bottom of an embankment.
It happened at about 02:00 GMT (03:00 local time) on the A26 motorway, near Chalone-en-Champagne in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, on the road between Troyes and the port of Calais. It happened at about 02:00 GMT (03:00 local time) on the A26 motorway, near Chalons-en-Champagne in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, on the road between Troyes and the port of Calais.
The vehicle involved was owned by Solus Coaches, which is based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. The vehicle involved was owned by Solus Coaches, which is based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. A second coach carrying another group from the school continued its journey, the occupants unaware of the accident.
The BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris said: "It seems the coach was the only vehicle involved. It veered into the ditch at the side of the road and it was a very serious accident."The BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris said: "It seems the coach was the only vehicle involved. It veered into the ditch at the side of the road and it was a very serious accident."
Police said initial tests on the driver, who was slightly injured, showed he was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Officers are investigating whether he might have fallen asleep at the wheel, our correspondent added.
A spokeswoman for Alvechurch School said: "There is no further information at this stage. We are liaising with the police and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office."A spokeswoman for Alvechurch School said: "There is no further information at this stage. We are liaising with the police and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office."
People in the UK who are worried about relatives and friends should call the Foreign Office's helpline on 0207 008 1500.People in the UK who are worried about relatives and friends should call the Foreign Office's helpline on 0207 008 1500.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the coach crash? You can get in touch using the form below:Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the coach crash? You can get in touch using the form below: