Specialist Lawyers Call For Thorough Investigation Into Incident

A swift and thorough investigation must be held into a bus crash in France in which eight pupils and a teacher from Dalbeattie High School in Dumfries and Galloway were injured, according to specialist lawyers acting for victims hurt in similar incidents.

The Foreign Office has confirmed it is in contact with French authorities regarding the incident close to Alencon on Monday afternoon (September 28^th), when it is believed the coach carrying a school trip to Normandy collided with a car.

The eight pupils and teacher were taken to hospital following the incident and it is thought the car driver also suffered significant injuries. Dumfries and Galloway Council confirmed all of the pupils are now going to return home.

Specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell represent victims of coach and bus crashes in the UK and abroad, notably acting for passengers injured when a coach crashed on the way from La Rosière to Chambéry Airport in France in January this year.

The team also represent children from Brentwood School in Essex injured in a crash in Belgium earlier this year, as well as 25 passengers injured when a coach returning to a school in Alvechurch, West Midlands crashed in the northern France in 2012.

If you or a loved one has suffered an accident or illness abroad as the result of a road traffic accident while on holiday, we could help you to claim the compensation you deserve. See our Road Traffic Accident Abroad Claims page for more information.

Expert Opinion

“It is hugely concerning to hear reports of yet another collision on French roads involving a coach trip, while it should also be remembered that this incident has come weeks after another crash in Switzerland in which 41 people were injured. <br/> <br/>“Our experience of being involved in similar cases mean we recognise the huge effect that such crashes can have on those involved, both in terms of physical injuries but also psychological trauma which such situations can lead to. <br/> <br/>“While investigations are continuing into this incident it remains far too early to determine the cause of the crash. However, it is vital that authorities in France work both quickly and thoroughly to examine this incident and all potential factors which could have played a part. This could range from the actions of the drivers, any technical or mechanical issues or external factors such as the weather conditions at the time. <br/> <br/>“Building a full picture of the crash should mean a full understanding can be developed and, where possible, lessons learned which will furthermore improve safety in the future.” <br/>