Specialist Lawyers Share Concerns After Another Ski Trip Coach Crash In France

By Dave Grimshaw

A coach understood to be carrying around 50 Britons has been involved in a fatal crash in the French Alps today (16th April 2013).

French Police confirmed shortly after news of the crash broke that one person – believed to be the driver had been killed - and several were seriously injured in the crash.

The Foreign Office also confirmed that Britons were onboard the coach, which left the road near the Alpe d'Huez ski resort in Southern France. The coach was carrying passengers on a holiday organised by Brighton-based Skibound, which organises skiing trips for schools, and according to local media crashed while travelling on a steep mountain road featuring many hairpin bends.

Law firm Irwin Mitchell is currently representing over 20 Britons from Alvechurch who were injured in a fatal coach crash in Reims after a school-skiing trip last February. The driver involved in that tragedy is facing an involuntary manslaughter charge in France.

Clive Garner, an expert lawyer at Irwin Mitchell who has represented many people injured in coach crashes around the world, said: “It’s incredibly disturbing that once again we have to discuss concerns about how yet another fatal coach crash has occurred.

“Obviously it is still too early to determine the exact cause but the families of those who have lost their lives and those who have been injured will want to know what caused this tragedy as soon as possible.

“Over many years we have repeatedly called for enhanced safety standards for coach travel.  This includes ensuring that the safest routes are selected and that drivers are fully trained, supported and supervised. It is also crucial that all buses and coaches are maintained to the highest possible standards of mechanical safety.

“There needs to be an urgent and thorough investigation into this latest incident, to help provide answers as to how the collision occurred, whether any of these factors played a part and whether there was any error on the part of the driver involved.”

Clive added that the French police will be investigating and may look to bring criminal charges if they deem it appropriate.

Irwin Mitchell has successfully represented hundreds of other victims of bus and coach crashes in the UK and around the world including the USA, pain, Italy, Austria, Germany, Bulgaria, Turkey, Morocco, South Africa and other countries across Europe, Asia and Africa.

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in coach crash incidents abroad.