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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 teacher has been killed and more than 20 people hurt after a coach crashed while bringing a Worcestershire school party home from a skiing trip in Italy. | |
Pupils from Alvechurch School were among 49 people on the coach, which crashed near Chalons-en-Champagne, in northern France, early on Sunday. | |
Relatives of Peter Rippington, 59, who died, said they were "devastated". | |
Up to five people were seriously hurt, with one described as critically ill, and 22 suffered minor injuries. | |
Mr Rippington's relatives said in a statement that they were "extremely concerned" for the teacher's wife, Sharon, who was also injured in the accident. | |
'Wonderful man' | |
Travel company 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. | |
There had been two coaches in the party travelling back, and the other one has arrived back at the school. | |
There had been 20 adults - including two drivers - and 29 children on board. | There had been 20 adults - including two drivers - and 29 children on board. |
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. |
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. |
Sue Rejoni, from Alvechurch, whose children used to attend the school, had come to lay flowers in tribute to the teacher. | |
She said: "He taught two of my children and he made the world of difference to them. My son Josh is studying engineering at Coventry University, in part thanks to him. | |
"We are devastated by this loss and the whole village has been affected." | |
Her daughter Jess Callow, 15, said: "He took me for maths for the four years I was at the school. He was a great teacher." | |
Kimberley Thornton, 23, from Redditch, said: "He was my form tutor, he was absolutely amazing. He was one of the only teachers I remember from the school. | |
"He was just really different kind of person, I could talk to him." | |
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. | 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." | He told the BBC: "He was a wonderful man, he was firm but fair." |
Supt Steve Cullen, of West Mercia Police, said: "This is a very sad incident and I want to express our sympathy to all those affected by the crash. | |
"I also want to reassure local people that we are doing all we can to support and help the families of the children and members of the staff involved." | |
He said specially trained family liaison officers had been put in place at the school. | |
Councillor Liz Eyre, from children's services at the Worcestershire County Council, said: "We're shocked and saddened about the accident earlier this morning. Our thoughts are with those involved and their families." | |
She said the school was planning to open as planned on Monday. | |
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. | 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." | "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." |
Driver questioned | |
Interski said in a href="http://www.interski.co.uk/information/" >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. | |
Six ski instructors from the company were among those on board, the Mansfield-based firm added. | 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 appeared the coach was the only vehicle involved. | |
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. |
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: |