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NI driver killed in Belgium school trip bus crash | NI driver killed in Belgium school trip bus crash |
(about 14 hours later) | |
A bus driver from Northern Ireland has been killed in a coach crash in Belgium. | A bus driver from Northern Ireland has been killed in a coach crash in Belgium. |
James 'Geordie' Chance was on a bus carrying 34 school children from an Essex school in the UK. | James 'Geordie' Chance was on a bus carrying 34 school children from an Essex school in the UK. |
A second driver from Northern Ireland, Stephen Cardwell, is in a stable condition in hospital. | |
A 13-year-old schoolboy from Brentwood School is in intensive care following the crash on Sunday morning. | A 13-year-old schoolboy from Brentwood School is in intensive care following the crash on Sunday morning. |
He suffered a head injury. It is understood that three pupils and two teachers were treated in hospital. | He suffered a head injury. It is understood that three pupils and two teachers were treated in hospital. |
The bus company, Richmond Coaches, is from Lisburn, County Antrim. | The bus company, Richmond Coaches, is from Lisburn, County Antrim. |
The bus overturned on the A18 (E40) at Middelkerke, West Flanders at 09:45 local time (08:45 BST). | The bus overturned on the A18 (E40) at Middelkerke, West Flanders at 09:45 local time (08:45 BST). |
Eyewitnesses said it crashed into a motorway bridge pillar. | Eyewitnesses said it crashed into a motorway bridge pillar. |
The children from Brentwood School were all aged from 11 to 13 years old. | The children from Brentwood School were all aged from 11 to 13 years old. |
Ian Davies, the school's head teacher said: "All of the children managed to walk off the coach. | Ian Davies, the school's head teacher said: "All of the children managed to walk off the coach. |
"One of the children subsequently had a head injury. He had a scan and they found a small brain bleed as part of his fractured skull." | "One of the children subsequently had a head injury. He had a scan and they found a small brain bleed as part of his fractured skull." |
He said that some parents were trying to get to Belgium and that some teachers had already set off. | He said that some parents were trying to get to Belgium and that some teachers had already set off. |
"I have spoken to the lead teacher on the trip. He is in hospital, I think he broke his collar bone, but seemed in as good a shape as could be expected." | "I have spoken to the lead teacher on the trip. He is in hospital, I think he broke his collar bone, but seemed in as good a shape as could be expected." |
The school is now working with the Foreign Office to try and get the children home as soon as possible, while a spokesman for the department said it was working with the Belgian authorities to establish details of the incident. | The school is now working with the Foreign Office to try and get the children home as soon as possible, while a spokesman for the department said it was working with the Belgian authorities to establish details of the incident. |
A spokesman from Richmond Coaches of Ballinderry Road, Lisburn, confirmed that one of its vehicles had been involved in the crash. | A spokesman from Richmond Coaches of Ballinderry Road, Lisburn, confirmed that one of its vehicles had been involved in the crash. |
He said what had happened was "a tragedy" and the company was co-operating with the authorities. | He said what had happened was "a tragedy" and the company was co-operating with the authorities. |
He said the company's thoughts were with everyone involved and they were cooperating fully with the authorities. | He said the company's thoughts were with everyone involved and they were cooperating fully with the authorities. |
Lisburn councillor Patrick Catney, who knows the family of the company owners, said: "This is so sad, it's so tragic. | Lisburn councillor Patrick Catney, who knows the family of the company owners, said: "This is so sad, it's so tragic. |
"This company is very long-established and has a great safety record - they only operate top of the line luxury coaches." | "This company is very long-established and has a great safety record - they only operate top of the line luxury coaches." |