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British teacher dies in school coach crash in France British teacher dies in school coach crash in France
(40 minutes later)
A British man has died after a coach bringing Worcestershire pupils home from a skiing trip crashed in France.A British man has died after a coach bringing Worcestershire pupils home from a skiing trip crashed in France.
Children from Alvechurch School were among 49 people on the coach, which crashed near Chalons-en-Champagne, in northern France.Children from Alvechurch School were among 49 people on the coach, which crashed near Chalons-en-Champagne, in northern France.
The man who died was a 59-year-old teacher, and the UK Foreign Office said his next of kin had been informed. The man who died was a 59-year-old teacher, named locally as Peter Rippington, and the UK Foreign Office said his next of kin had been informed.
Up to five people were seriously hurt and are being treated in hospital in France, and 22 suffered minor injuries. Up to five people were seriously hurt and 22 suffered minor injuries.
Second coach returnedSecond coach returned
It has sent a consular team to the scene. The British Ambassador to France, Sir Peter Ricketts, will also be visiting the scene later, a spokesman said. There had been 20 adults - including two drivers - and 29 children on board.
Among those on board were 20 adults - including two drivers - and 29 children.
The Foreign Office said four or five people - including children - had been seriously or critically injured. All the casualties were being treated in hospital.The Foreign Office said four or five people - including children - had been seriously or critically injured. All the casualties were being treated in hospital.
There were two coaches in the party travelling back, and the other one has arrived back at the school. A consular team was sent to the scene and the British Ambassador to France, Sir Peter Ricketts, was also due to visit, a spokesman said.
There had been two coaches in the party travelling back, and the other one has arrived back at the school.
Alvechurch is a Church of England middle school, with pupils' ages ranging from nine to 13.Alvechurch is a Church of England middle school, with pupils' ages ranging from nine to 13.
'Veered into ditch' Michael Darby, 16, who was taught maths for four years by the teacher, had come to the school with his mother to lay flowers as a tribute.
He told the BBC: "He was a wonderful man, he was firm but fair."
Local councillor June Griffiths said: "There is one youngster who is critically ill and I believe there are two other girls with serious injuries, so we need to make sure that the parents of those children can get out to them.
"The community is in shock - the school has been going on these holidays and has been waving the children goodbye year after year and they've been coming back safely."
Travel company Interski said in a statement on its website that those unhurt were being cared for at a sports complex in the region. They were receiving attention from the French Red Cross, which was providing psychological support.Travel company Interski said in a statement on its website that those unhurt were being cared for at a sports complex in the region. They were receiving attention from the French Red Cross, which was providing psychological support.
A second coach is travelling back to the UK with some of the party who have suffered minor injuries. Another coach is travelling back to the UK with some of the party who have suffered minor injuries.
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.
The firm, which organised the trip, said the accident happened at about 02:30 GMT (03:30 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 firm, which organised the trip, said the accident happened at about 02:30 GMT (03:30 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.
Six ski instructors from the company were among those on board, it added. 'Veered into ditch'
Six ski instructors from the company were among those on board, the Mansfield-based firm added.
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.
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.Police said initial tests on the driver, who was slightly injured, showed he was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Officers were investigating whether the driver might have fallen asleep at the wheel, our correspondent added.Officers were investigating whether the driver 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: