Emergency Information

Emergency Information

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Emergency Information - Accident 19th February 2012

We are saddened and distressed to report the death of a party leader following a coach accident in the Rheims area of Northern France at approximately 02.30 CET/GMT this morning. Our thoughts are with the bereaved family and friends, to whom we offer our sincere condolences. We also extend our sympathy to the four seriously injured passengers, to twenty two passengers with minor injuries and to all others involved in this tragic incident.

We understand that the coach in question veered from the motorway before coming to rest on its side at the foot of an embankment.

The emergency services were alerted by passengers on a following coach, which stopped and assisted with the evacuation and rescue.

The injured were taken to hospitals in Rheims and Chalon. 27 were admitted, with the remainder being taken to a nearby leisure centre in Fagnieres, where a French Red Cross team offered support, both physical and psychological.

As soon as Interski’s senior incident staff were alerted, contact was made with the coach operator, its insurers, ABTA, the control centre of the Prefecture de la Marne, the Foreign Office, and, of course, the drivers and some of the rescued party.

An emergency answerphone message was provided with information regarding contacting the Foreign Office (0207 008 1500). The West Mercia Police Force has been given full details.

The coach involved was chartered by Interski from Solus Travel. On board were 47 passengers and 2 drivers. Of the passengers, 41 were from Alvechurch School, Alvechurch [12 adults and 29 pupils]. The remaining 6 were Interski instructors. We are fully cooperating with the investigators to determine the cause of the accident.

The coach was returning from the Aosta Valley, in North West Italy, following a snowsports trip. All parties directly involved are fully informed of the situation.

A number of passengers remain hospitalised in France. We wish them well in their recovery. The FCO (0207 008 1500) has the most recent information as to their condition.

The remaining passengers considered fit to travel were reunited with their families at Alvechurch School late last night. They had travelled to Paris and then to St Pancras via Eurostar. The final leg of their journey took them from Euston to Birmingham International with private first-class accommodation provided by Virgin Rail, to whom we extend our gratitude.

A team from the British Consulate and senior members of the Interski Resort Team (Aosta Valley) remain in the area.


Coach Travel with Interski

We repeat our condolences and sympathy to passengers involved in last Sunday's tragic accident.

One such accident in our 29 years of operation involving more than 5000 coach trips to Italy is one too many, and a matter of deep regret.

Our system of transport operation is common to the travel industry, and adopted by numerous tour operators.

We observe the strictest adherence to all legal, professional and operational requirements. Drivers’ duty hours are rigorously controlled and verified by tachograph readings. The current regime is applied by European legislation. Our compliance is total.

The driver of the coach in question is currently held in custody in France, whilst the matter is examined by an investigating magistrate. It would be clearly wrong and prejudicial at this stage to make assumptions as to the outcome of his investigation.

We seek to reassure our passengers that their safety is of paramount importance.

This page was last updated at 13.15 on 20th February 2012.