This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-17088463

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
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 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.
Children from Alvechurch School were among 49 people on the coach, which crashed near Chalons-en-Champagne, in northern France. Pupils from Alvechurch School were among 49 people on the coach, which crashed near Chalons-en-Champagne, in northern France, early on Sunday.
The man who died was a 59-year-old teacher, named locally as Peter Rippington, and the UK href="http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=News&id=732058882" >Foreign Office said his next of kin had been informed. Relatives of Peter Rippington, 59, who died, said they were "devastated".
Up to five people were seriously hurt and 22 suffered minor injuries. Up to five people were seriously hurt, with one described as critically ill, and 22 suffered minor injuries.
Second coach returned 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.
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.
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."
Travel company 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. Driver questioned
Another coach is travelling back to the UK with some of the party who have suffered minor injuries. 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.
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.
'Veered into ditch'
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 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 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.
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: