Teen-ager killed in French coach crash

Recovery workers collect personal belongings at the site where a British tour bus crashed in central France, killing a British teen-ager and injuring others

PARIS -- A 15-year-old British boy has been killed and at least another 11 people injured after a tour bus carrying a party of school children crashed in France on Monday.

The accident happened at around 6:20 (0420 GMT) on the A71 motorway, about 10 kilometers (six miles) from Vierzon, close to the town of Bourges, police spokesman Jean-Pierre Smith said.

Police said the vehicle had turned on its side and plunged into a ditch.

The British embassy in Paris named the boy killed as Craig Norsworthy but had no further details of the victim.

Rescue services said the dead boy had been trapped between a seat and a bulkhead at the back of the coach and had to be cut free from the wreckage.

The injured were being evacuated by helicopter to hospitals in Vierzon and Bourges.

The youngsters, aged between 11 and 18, were from two parties -- Chadwell Heath High School in Essex and the 41st Edinburgh Boys Brigade.

The accident is thought to have been caused when one of the two drivers dozed off at the wheel, according to police at the scene.

The group was heading for an adventure holiday in the Dordogne region with PGL Travel, which specializes in activity holidays for six-18-year-olds.

"Our thoughts go out to the parents, families and those involved, we will be doing everything possible to ensure that they receive any support they may require," PGL said in a statement.

The bus, which was fitted with seatbelts, had been chartered from Rennies coach company in Dunfermline.

"We have been doing European tours now for many years and we have an exemplary record," Rennies spokesman Gordon Menzies said.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Driver held after fatal pile-up
August 2, 2000

PGL Travel Ltd
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