In a story that has become quite common place since the outbreak of the migrant crisis in early 2015, a returning school trip unwittingly carried two stowaways from Calais into Britain earlier this month. The school tip from Prestwich Arts College, involving 35 pupils and 4 staff, was intended to raise awareness of French culture and improve knowledge of the French language.
It is believed that the two migrants clung on for a staggering 5 hours to the chassis of the bus, racing north up the motorway, after successfully boarding the vehicle at Calais. When the vehicle reached its destination, the pair took the opportunity to escape. Parents, amassed to greet their returning children saw the two men drop down and roll from beneath the bus. They were pursued by the bus driver, but got away. Police launched a man hunt in response.
This case is reminiscent of a stowaway found on the coach of a returning school trip by a Devon private school choir. On reaching the school site parents heard groans from the engine compartment where a migrant had wedged themselves for several hours. Last week a migrant made it as far as Suffolk in the wheel arch of a coach carrying Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club under 15s.
Headmistress Rachel Evans of Prestwich Arts College said: 'The trip had gone extremely well and was enjoyed by the pupils, and until then everything had gone to plan. We have no idea when or where these men stowed away underneath the coach; when we left France the coach was thoroughly checked by security, including sniffer dogs, and the pupils' passports checked. Thankfully at no point did the students come into contact with the stowaways or [be] placed at any risk.'
Drivers can be fined up to £2,000 for each migrant found to have stowed away on their vehicle. They can appeal by proving that all reasonable care was taken to secure it. In the instance of the two determined stowaways, the checks pursued at border control were insufficient, but no more could have reasonably been done. The main concern is security of staff and pupils. The presence of unknown and unchecked individuals in the close proximity of children presents a multitude of dangers and the continued diligence of staff could spot something which may otherwise go unnoticed.
