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School bus driver dies at wheel School bus driver dies at wheel
(about 1 hour later)
The driver of a coach carrying Liverpool schoolchildren home from a skiing trip has suffered a fatal heart attack at the wheel.The driver of a coach carrying Liverpool schoolchildren home from a skiing trip has suffered a fatal heart attack at the wheel.
The 34-strong party from West Derby School were returning through Germany from a skiing trip in Austria when the coach span out of control. The 34-strong party from West Derby School were returning through Germany from a skiing trip in Austria when the coach spun out of control.
It ploughed into the central reservation of a motorway in Karlsruhe.It ploughed into the central reservation of a motorway in Karlsruhe.
No-one else was injured and the staff and pupils stayed overnight in a nearby Red Cross centre.No-one else was injured and the staff and pupils stayed overnight in a nearby Red Cross centre.
The vehicle was on hire from Newcastle-based Keiths Coaches.The vehicle was on hire from Newcastle-based Keiths Coaches.
It is understood the driver had worked for them for many years and was very experienced.It is understood the driver had worked for them for many years and was very experienced.
It is astonishing and miraculous that they were not injured Headteacher Margaret RannardIt is astonishing and miraculous that they were not injured Headteacher Margaret Rannard
Keith Grimes, managing director of the coach company, said: "At this time my main concern is with the safe return of the children to school that are currently on route to Calais with a fellow coach operator from Germany."Keith Grimes, managing director of the coach company, said: "At this time my main concern is with the safe return of the children to school that are currently on route to Calais with a fellow coach operator from Germany."
He thanked German and Northumbria Police for their help and said the Red Cross had provided food, drinks and bedding for the children.He thanked German and Northumbria Police for their help and said the Red Cross had provided food, drinks and bedding for the children.
Headteacher Margaret Rannard said all parents have been informed and a replacement coach was bringing the children home.Headteacher Margaret Rannard said all parents have been informed and a replacement coach was bringing the children home.
"It is astonishing and miraculous that they were not injured. My thoughts go out to the family of the driver."It is astonishing and miraculous that they were not injured. My thoughts go out to the family of the driver.
"He was one of two drivers that took the students around all week and they got to know him."He was one of two drivers that took the students around all week and they got to know him.
"It's terribly, terribly sad," she said."It's terribly, terribly sad," she said.
The pupils, aged between 14 and 18, are due back in the country on Thursday morning.The pupils, aged between 14 and 18, are due back in the country on Thursday morning.