Derek Thompson, 47, is suspected of falling asleep at the wheel before the crash which killed Peter Rippington.

Mr Rippington, a maths teacher who was described as “inspirational” by students who gathered outside Alvechurch middle school in Worcester, died after the coach carrying his family and students swerved off the road and rolled into a ditch.

Christian de Rocquigny, the French state prosecutor, said Mr Thompson would face “manslaughter and involuntary causing injuries”.

“Initial inquiries,” Mr Rocquigny continued. “Suggested that the driver feel asleep at the wheel.”

He also confirmed that Mr Thompson had tested negative for drugs and alcohol.

Mr Rippington’s wife and daughter, who were also on the trip, are among the 27 injured, 11 of whom remain in hospital, including a 13-year-old girl, Suzie Warner, who was airlifted to a hospital in Paris where she has undergone surgery and is now described as stable.

The group of 29 pupils and 19 adults had been travelling from Valle d’Aosta, Italy, when the accident occurred on the A29, 90 miles east of Paris.

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