A bus driver from Northern Ireland was killed when the coach he was travelling in overturned on a Belgium motorway.
James Chance died on Sunday morning at around 9am when the vehicle he was in - from Richmond Coaches in Lisburn - struck a pillar in Middelkerke, West Flanders.
The coach was carrying more than 30 children, accompanied by teachers from Brentwood School in Essex, through Belgium to Cologne in Germany when the fatal collision occurred.
Mr Chance, a father and grandfather from Lisburn in his 50s, was not driving at the time. His colleague and co-driver Stephen Cardwell, also from the North, is among the injured but is described as stable in hospital .
Brendan McKenna, director of Richmond Coaches, said: “Richmond Coaches confirms that one of its drivers sadly lost his life in today’s crash in Belgium.
“The coach was carrying a party of school children and teachers from Brentwood School in Essex. The two drivers in their mid-50s were James Chance and Stephen Cardwell. Mr Cardwell remains in hospital with his condition described as stable. Richmond Coaches were devastated to hear of the death of our second driver Mr Chance, who was sitting in the courier seat at the time of the crash. Mr Chance’s family have been informed of his death.
“Richmond Coaches would like to reassure all families of the children and teachers that none of the passengers have sustained life threatening injuries. One pupil was treated for head injuries, another pupil sustained a broken leg and one teacher has a collarbone injury. Our prayers and thoughts are with all the families that have been affected by this tragic crash. Transport has been organised for those passengers that wish to return to the UK.”
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness shared his thoughts online.
“Very sad to learn of the coach crash in Belgium in which a driver from Lisburn has been killed.Thoughts are with his family and those injured,” he wrote on Twitter.
SDLP Cllr Pat Catney knows the McKenna family who run the Richmond Coaches business on the Ballinderry Road between Lisburn and Glenavy.
“It is a small, local business that has grown,” he said.
“Their fleet is second to none and they have a great safety record.
“Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased, injured and Richmond Coaches.”
DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson described Richmond Coaches as an established business with a fine reputation and said his “thoughts and prayers are with their families and with everyone at Richmond Coaches”.
“And we pray those injured go on to make a full recovery,” he added.