Driver killed in school bus crash near Hatton named

[dutchman]

The driver of a school bus who died when the vehicle crashed in Warwickshire has been named.

David Franklin, 67, from Solihull, was one of two adults killed when the bus was in collision with a car between Hatton and Hatton Park on Tuesday.

A 60-year-old Citroen driver from Leamington Spa also died, Her female passenger remains in hospital.

The bus was carrying 21 pupils, one of whom was airlifted to hospital. Up to 12 pupils suffered cuts and bruises.

The 16-year-old boy from Alyesford School in Warwick who was airlifted, has been treated for face and leg injuries. The boy's condition was "serious but stable", Alyesford School headteacher Steven Hall said on Wednesday.

Up to 12 other pupils from Myton School and Aylesford School, both in Warwick, suffered minor cuts and bruises. Those who were not injured were allowed home after being checked by paramedics.

Mr Franklin's employer Johnsons Coach and Bus Travel paid tribute to it's "highly regarded, dependable and professional" driver.

Company director Peter Jonson said: "He was a highly regarded member of our team who was always willing to help us out, as requested on all types of coach and bus driving work."

Mr Franklin had been working for the firm part-time since 2003.

"David was an experienced driver, always smartly dressed, and thoroughly dependable and professional in his work. He was very much a part of our driver team here and will be greatly missed by all of us," Mr Johnson added.

The family of the Citroen driver has asked for privacy, while it contacts all her relatives.

An investigation has been started into the collision which police said had involved a single-decker bus and two cars.

They said the third vehicle was hit by debris from the collision and suffered minor damage.