Popular teacher dies after coach crash
A popular schoolteacher who was about to retire died when a coach carrying children back from a skiiing trip crashed in northern France.
Peter Rippington, 59, was killed and four others seriously injured when their bus flipped over and came to rest at the bottom of an embankment near the city of Reims in the Champagne-Ardenne region at around 2.30am on Sunday.
Mr Rippington’s wife Sharon was also injured in the crash, which involved 29 pupils from Alvechurch Middle School in Worcestershire.
A total of 27 people were taken to hospital following the crash, with 22 of those said to have minor injuries. It is not known how many of the seriously injured are children.
Interski Snowsport School, the company that arranged the trip, said there were 21 adults on the coach when it crashed on the A26 at Chalons-en-Champagne. There were two drivers on board, along with six Interski instructors and 13 adults belonging to the school party.
One of the schoolgirls involved in the crash was believed to be in a coma. Hundreds of messages of support were left on Twitter under the hashtag #PrayforSuzie.
Devastated
A statement from 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.”
Mr Rippington was described as a “one of a kind teacher” by his pupils, who gathered at the school in shock.
Interski said a following coach stopped and helped rescue people from the wreckage of the crashed vehicle and alerted the emergency services. Casualties were then taken to two local hospitals.
Those who escaped uninjured are being cared for by the French Red Cross at a sports complex in the region and a rescue vehicle has been dispatched from the UK to bring those fit to travel home.
Initial tests on the driver, who received minor injuries, showed he was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to reports.
Local police are said to be investigating whether he might have fallen asleep at the wheel.
A bouquet was left outside the school while pupils left an apple with a tribute attached.
It read: “You will be truly missed. You were a one of a kind teacher and you can never be replaced. You were funny and kind and always made everyone’s day.
“We will love and miss you forever and always.”