Families injured in coach crash in France

Posted: July 24, 2015

Posted in: Accidents and Sickness Abroad Arm Injury Bus Accidents Hand Injuries Public Transport Road Traffic Accidents Shoulder Injuries 

Two families from West Lancashire have claimed for damages after a coach crash in France left them with severe personal injuries. The ten British passengers had been on a coach organised by tour operator Esprite Holidays when it crashed at the end of their skiing holiday. They had been travelling from La Rosiere to Chambéry Airport when the accident happened. Doctors informed them that they were lucky to have survived.

It was heard that the coach swerved off the road and overturned whilst carrying 32 British passengers. 42-year-old Sarah Rothwell-Bowness and her husband Allan (44) had been on holiday with their three children when the crash happened at 8:30am on 4 January. Mrs Rothwell-Bowness suffered a fracture to her right wrist and hand, which required emergency surgery in France, and psychological injuries. Doctors have told her that she may never recover full movement in her arm.

“We all simply want to know what happened”

The family’s friends had also been on the coach with them, Katie Hannah (40), her husband Gary (44) and three children. Mrs Hannah is due surgery to have glass removed from her right arm, while Mr Hannah suffered severe nerve damage in his shoulder and has lost a great degree of movement in his right arm.

French Police are investigating the cause of the collision, with witnesses describing what they saw as the vehicle swerving out of control, leaving the road, and crashing into the guardrails at the edge of a ravine.

Mrs Rothwell-Bowness stated: “We all simply want to know what happened and what can be done to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”

If you have suffered an injury abroad or been involved in a road traffic accident, and are looking to claim compensation, please contact us.

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