Head speaks of school coach crash

'Medical teams and counsellors are on hand to help the pupils'

A head teacher has said the thoughts of his staff and pupils are with the families of those who died in a crash involving two coaches in Germany.

Jim Hawkins, Head of Norwich School, told the BBC that when he met his pupils in Kent they were very tired but relieved to see their parents.

"Sadly a member of the support team [has] serious injuries," he said. "Our thoughts are with her and her family."

A 14-year-old boy from another school and a driver died in Saturday's crash.

'Died instantly'

Stuart Dines, from Thomas Mills High School, in Framlingham, Suffolk, was killed in the crash near Cologne, which also involved a lorry.

The unnamed co-driver from Ambassador Travel was carrying the pupils from the Norwich School.

Mr Hawkins said: "We believe he died instantly and our thoughts are with his family.

"Some of pupils from the Norwich School were treated for relatively minor injuries: cuts, bruises, sprains, that sort of thing, and were held in hospital for observation for a while."

Mr Hawkins said the school would help the pupils cope with the tragedy.

"We are laying on counselling and our medical team were with them in Kent last night when they arrived back home.

"The school will remain available during the week ahead, so we can keep communicating and keep people informed about what is going on."