FRENCH authorities have confirmed that the driver of a coach which crashed while carrying school children and staff from Alvechurch, killing a teacher and seriously injuring others, will face trial for involuntary manslaughter.

Having reviewed all the evidence in the case, the investigating magistrate supervising the French proceedings has now agreed with prosecutors that the British driver of the coach, Derek Thompson, will face trial, which will probably take place next year. The coach involved left the road near Chalons-en-Champagne, 90 miles east of Paris on February 19 2012 as the party returned from a school skiing trip.

Specialist international serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell representing 25 passengers injured in the incident say the development is an important step forward for those affected and follows on from the French authorities’ agreement to release the crash wreckage for examination earlier this year.

The injured children were from Alvechurch Middle School and other injured passengers included two ski-instructors who were helping the children.

Popular teacher Peter Rippington was killed in the crash.

Irwin Mirchell spokesman Clive Garner said: “The announcement by the French authorities that the coach driver will be tried on charges of involuntary manslaughter is an important step forward in determining exactly what caused this catastrophe and brings our clients’ fight for justice nearer to a conclusion.

“In February it will be three years since this dreadful crash occurred. No other vehicles are thought to have played any part and to date no mechanical or other issue with the coach itself has been identified. Nevertheless, the driver, the coach company and their insurers have not accepted liability.

“The coach driver is facing very serious criminal charges which carry a maximum sentence of up to three years imprisonment, along with a fine of up to 45,000€, and we expect his conduct to be thoroughly investigated at trial.

“Concerns have been raised about the possibility that the coach driver fell asleep at the wheel. Although it is understood that the driver does not recall falling asleep, or what caused the coach to leave the road, no doubt the court will determine exactly what caused the coach to leave the road and whether the driver is criminally liable for causing the death of a passenger, and consequently whether he is also liable for causing the injuries suffered by the dozens of other passengers.

"My colleagues and I have represented hundreds of passengers injured in coach and bus crashes both in the UK and abroad and we have repeatedly called for improved coach safety measures including improved driver training, monitoring and supervision to improve passenger safety."

Irwin Mitchell has successfully secured settlements for several passengers along with interim payments of compensation for others. Despite this civil proceedings for compensation in the Birmingham High Court were put on hold after the defendant tour operator, Interschool Travel Limited (trading as ‘Interski’) applied to the Court to stay proceedings until after the coach company’s insurers had access to the coach wreckage to inspect it.

Clive added: “Many of our clients are still suffering from serious injuries and nearly three years on still face a long battle to come to terms with their injuries and get their lives on track."

Steve Ratheram, 53, suffered devastating injuries including spinal fractures, a fractured sternum and broken ribs.

The former ski instructor said: “We all just want to know what happened as it’s been more than two-and-a-half years but the authorities have not told us anything.

“We are relived that the French legal proceedings are now moving forward as we hope they will shed more light on the events which caused our nightmare to begin. Since the crash I’ve been back to hospital on countless occasions for further treatment and have had to get used to living with my injuries on a daily basis."