Driver dies as British school bus crashes in Belgium

A COACH carrying 34 British school children all between the ages of 11 and 13 from Brentwood in Essex has crashed in West Flanders, Belgium, killing the driver and seriously injuring another.

The bus overturned after crashing into a motorway bridge according to eyewitness’s reports.

The authorities from West Flanders said that the driver was pronounced dead at the scene, and another adult was taken to intensive care with serious injuries.

Whilst 31 children and three teachers walked away from the crash, three children were also taken to hospital. The school’s head teacher, Ian Davies, spoke to the BBC to say: “There are three children in hospital. We don’t know the full extent of their injuries.

“I know that one boy has a head injury which is being monitored very carefully.”

Brentwood School Statement:

“A coach travelling to Cologne with 34 first and second year pupils and six teachers from the School was involved in a collision with a bridge near Ostend in Belgium.

“All pupils walked off the coach and several pupils and teachers have been taken to local hospitals.

“One pupil is in intensive care receiving treatment for a head injury.

“We have informed all the parents of the thirty four pupils and the Headmaster, Ian Davies, is holding a briefing for them at the School. We have been informed that the driver was killed in the collision and his assistant has been severely injured.

“Our thoughts are clearly with his family and all the families of the pupils and teachers involved.

“Two senior members of staff have travelled to Belgium this morning, and as soon as we have more information we will inform everyone involved.”