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/news/uk-22170407
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Alps coach crash: One killed and several injured | Alps coach crash: One killed and several injured |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| One person has been killed and several are seriously injured after a coach carrying about 50 Britons crashed in the French Alps. | |
| The crash happened at about 1345 local time, near the Alpe d'Huez resort. | |
| The coach had been hired by Brighton company Skibound - which organises ski trips for schools - and was carrying seasonal staff back to the UK. | |
| It crashed as it travelled down a steep mountain road, which features 21 hairpin bends, local media reported. | |
| Ski season end | Ski season end |
| In a statement, Skibound said the crash happened 65km from Grenoble, and there were 51 passengers and two drivers from the coach company on board. | |
| The passengers were on their way home from Alpe d'Huez after finishing their ski season working for the firm in various resorts across the French Alps, it said. | |
| French police say at least one person - believed to be the driver - was killed, and three others are seriously injured. | French police say at least one person - believed to be the driver - was killed, and three others are seriously injured. |
| Some passengers who were trapped after the crash managed to free themselves from the wreckage, while others were rescued by the emergency services. | Some passengers who were trapped after the crash managed to free themselves from the wreckage, while others were rescued by the emergency services. |
| The most seriously injured were taken to hospital by helicopter. | The most seriously injured were taken to hospital by helicopter. |
| The BBC's Imogen Foulkes says initial reports suggest the coach's brakes may have failed, causing it to crash into the face of the mountain and catch fire. | The BBC's Imogen Foulkes says initial reports suggest the coach's brakes may have failed, causing it to crash into the face of the mountain and catch fire. |
| UK coach operator TGM confirmed that one of its Classic Coach chartered services was involved. | |
| It said the coach had been carrying 51 British passengers on behalf of tour operator TUI. | |
| Managing director Heath Williams said the firm, based in Annfield Plain, County Durham, was "shocked" by the accident. | |
| He said it was too early to say what caused the accident, and the firm was awaiting official confirmation relating to those involved, but said it had launched a full investigation and was working closely with the local authorities. | |
| "We are offering our full support to the families of our drivers and to all those passengers who were involved in this tragic incident," he added. | |
| Skibound said it had been informed that one person had been taken by air ambulance to the local hospital. | Skibound said it had been informed that one person had been taken by air ambulance to the local hospital. |
| "All other passengers are accounted for and are being treated in local hospitals or have been evacuated to a village close by," it said. | "All other passengers are accounted for and are being treated in local hospitals or have been evacuated to a village close by," it said. |
| "A special assistance team from Skibound is in place to provide support to those affected by the incident." | |
| The Foreign Office said it was aware of a "tragic incident involving British nationals" in the Isere region. | |
| "We are in touch with the local authorities and are providing consular assistance," a spokeswoman said. |