British Driver Of Alp Crash Coach Praised For 'Courage'

The British driver who died when the coach he was driving crashed in the French Alps has been praised by officials, who say his actions helped save the lives of passengers.

During a visit to the scene near Alpe d'Huez, French transport minister Frederic Cuvillier said 63-year-old Maurice Wrightson had displayed "remarkable courage".

The Northumberland man had let the coach hit rocks to slow down rather than risk it going over a precipice, the minister said.

Three Britons, seriously injured in the crash, are still in hospital following the crash on Tuesday.

Mr Cuvillier said: "The actions of some people were instrumental in avoiding what could have been a much worse situation.

"The position the coach was in shows a great effort to control it... the coach was able to slow down rather than continue on its course and go off the edge into the ravine, which would have led to far more casualties."

(H/CD)