Ysgol Llanhari school trip coach crashes with lorry in Germany

A coach taking a group of schoolchildren on a ski trip has crashed with a lorry while travelling through Germany.

The group from Ysgol Llanhari, in Rhondda Cynon Taf, were travelling in southern Germany while en route to Austria.

In an Instagram story, the school said no pupils were injured in the crash.

It said the pupils were awaiting transport to take them on to Austria to continue their ski holiday.

In a letter sent to parents and carers seen by BBC Wales, head teacher Meinir Thomas, said that all staff and pupils were safe.

"The parents involved have been updated since early this morning," she wrote, adding that staff and pupils were in Landau im Pfalz waiting for buses to transport them "on the next part of the journey" to Zauchensee in Austria.

"Emergency services in Germany have ensured everyone is healthy and provided them with food and temporary accommodation."

Ms Thomas added that pupils were in "high spirits" and "looking forward to completing their journey".

Rhondda Cynon Taf council said the coach company has arranged for two new buses to pick up the group so they could resume the ski trip.

Coach company Davey Travel Ltd said the crash happened on the B10 federal highway near Landau, Rhine-Palatinate, in south-west Germany.

It said the school was in touch with parents and thanked emergency services in Germany.

Citing the police, Dirk Hargesheimer, from the fire brigade in Landau, said a truck hit the side of the double-decker bus, which was carrying 73 people.

He said the side windows of the bus were smashed and, although there were no serious injuries, the driver was taken to hospital for a check-up.