The driver killed in a coach crash in the French Alps has been named as North East man Maurice Wrightson.
The 64-year-old, who was working for Stanley-based Classic Coaches, was one of two North East employees from the bus company Arriva, who were transporting 52 people back to the UK.
French fire fighters are continuing to clear the debris of a coach that crashed and burned on the road from Alpe d'Huez in the French Alps. Brighton company Skibound said it hired the coach, and that 51 people were on board
Colleagues at a technology company in Guildford have paid tribute to Saad Al-Hilli whose body was discovered in his family car in the French Alps.
Police are investigating the shooting of Al-Hilli family in the remote region near Annecy.
A seven-year-old girl is in a critical condition in hospital, her four year old sister who was also in the car is also receiving specialist treatment.
– Dr Matt Perkins, CEO, Surrey Satellite Technology LtdI am deeply shocked and saddened to confirm that one of SSTL’s long-term contractors, Saad Al-Hilli, has been formally identified as one of the victims of the shootings which occurred in the French Alps.
Saad worked at SSTL as a Mechanical Design Engineer from November 2010. Saad’s colleagues will remember him as an experienced and committed engineer who worked as part of a tightly knit team. He was a personal friend to many of our staff here.
Saad will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this very difficult and traumatic time.