Emotional tributes after loss of 'special' teacher

Tributes were today paid to a Midland teacher killed after a coach owned by a Staffordshire firm crashed and careered down an embankment in northern France.

PE and maths teacher Peter Rippington was killed when the coach left the A26 motorway and fell down an embankment near the city of Reims in the Chalone-en-Champagne region. It was taking pupils from Alvechurch Church of England School in Worcestershire home from a skiing trip in Italy.

Eleven passengers remained in hospital today, six of them with serious injuries although their conditions are not thought to be life-threatening. Mr Rippington's wife Sharon is among the injured.

Tamworth-based coach operator Solus Coaches issued a statement today offering "sincere condolences" to the bereaved.

French police are investigating reports that the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel. He has tested negative for drink or drugs.

Today, the school opened with staff and pupils gathering to pay their respects to Mr Rippington.

A statement released by the Rippington family said: "We, as a family, are devastated at the tragic loss of Peter, a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, son-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, friend and teacher.

"We are still extremely concerned about the health of his wife, Sharon, who was injured and is still recovering in hospital in France. Sharon is accompanied by her daughter Amy, who escaped the incident with minor injuries.

"Until they are safely home we ask that our privacy is respected and that we are left to grieve with our friends and family."

Travel company Interski, which organised the trip, said tragedy struck at about 3am yesterday. Children from the school had been staying in Italy's popular Valle d'Aosta skiing region.

There were two coaches on the school skiing trip and it was the one carrying girls that was involved in the accident. The coach carrying male pupils returned to the Worcestershire school yesterday afternoon.

A following coach stopped and helped rescue people from the wreckage of the crashed vehicle and alerted the emergency services.

Those who escaped uninjured were cared for by the French Red Cross at a sports complex in the region while a rescue vehicle was dispatched from the UK to bring those fit to travel home. Images of the dented coach lying on its side without its windscreen were shown on news channels.

No further details of what caused the crash are known, but the Foreign Office has confirmed that there were 29 children, 18 adults and two drivers on board.

A 13-year-old girl has been transferred for treatment at the Necker children's hospital in Paris where she has undergone an operation, French authorities revealed today.

Yesterday, pupils and parents arrived at the school in tears while a candlelit vigil was held at the school grounds in memory of Mr Rippington. One group of pupils left a red apple with a note pinned to it, which read: "You will be truly missed. You were a one of a kind teacher and can never be replaced. You were funny, kind and always made everyone's day."

Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt said today that the French authorities were investigating the accident and that the British authorities were working closely with them.

The Foreign Office is investigating the accident and is providing consular assistance to those affected while the British ambassador to France, Sir Peter Ricketts, met passengers yesterday.

Alvechurch councillor June Griffiths, who is chairman of Bromsgrove District Council, said today: "It's a terrible thing to have happened. The school has been running this skiing trip for many years. I know when children first start at the school they look forward to the day when they can go on this trip. It is very sad for a school trip to have ended in such tragic circumstances. My thoughts are with all of the school staff and the children at this sad time."

Kate Vanderplank, who has two sons who were taught by Mr Rippington, said: "He was a fantastic teacher, really special."

The 43-year-old, who said the teacher had been at the school for "many years" added: "The boys wanted to bring some flowers, they were both in shock."