School Trip Bus Driver Arrested
A bus driver taking 34 children on a school trip to Paris was arrested by French police after teachers allegedly spotted him drinking red wine in his cab.
Staff from North Durham Academy, in Stanley, County Durham said they challenged the driver after seeing him drinking from a polystyrene cup and demanded he did a breath test using the on-board breathalyser kit which French law ensures must be carried by all vehicles during a lunch stop in Amiens.
Shortly afterwards the British driver was arrested by French police on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. He has since been released without charge.
David Thornton, principal of North Durham Academy, said: 'It is unbelievable. I want to praise staff for acting on their suspicions and challenging the driver to make sure the children were safe.'
Two staff went with French police to give evidence at the police station, while another two waited with children.
Durham County Councillor Carl Marshall, who is a school governor at the £30million Academy, which opened last September, said: 'I am really pleased that all the children and young people are safe and can continue with their trip to Paris, which they have been looking forward to for a very long time.'
In a statement, tour operator Travelsure said: 'An incident occurred on Friday afternoon in France in which a coach driver was alleged to have consumed alcohol whilst driving.
'The driver was requested by the teaching staff to take a breathalyser test, which he did and passed, using one of the two breathalysers carried on the coach, as specified by French law. The police had already been called and when they attended he was taken away for questioning. The driver has since been released without charge or fine.
'We are unable to comment further on the circumstances until we have carried out a full investigation and been able to speak with all parties involved to establish the true facts.
'This self employed casual driver has worked with us over many years and has always been reliable and professional. He has over 40 years experience in the industry, having operated his own European coach business before going self employed on a casual basis. We have flown a driver over to Paris to complete the job.
'We have a strict drink driving policy in place and do not tolerate any breach of regulation. This matter will be investigated fully but at present we can confirm that the driver has been released without charge.'
