Belgian Coach crash in Switzerland - 28 killed.

[Portofino]

Here. My thoughts and prayers are with the poor, poor familes of those killed and injured. The villages aren't that far from where I live. Such a tradegy!

These classes de neige are part of the Belgian national curriculum - all Year 6 children go - the idea that something like this can happen.....

Oh - I have just seen on our company intranet site, one of my colleagues has lost his wife, and another has a child in hospital!!!

There will be a one minute's silence tomorrow at 11am. All the schools will also take part.

Suigeneris - that's good to hear.

Portofino - so sorry for your colleagues.

SuiGeneris

I didn't suggest the block was in the middle of the tunnel.

I did however mention that it faces the direction of oncoming traffic (if they happen to be in the emergency lane) and that there is no rail to deflect a vehicle approaching it, as is common on UK motorways for example when the hard shoulder ends or when there is a bridge support near the carriageway.

This is just horrendous news. Every parent's nightmare. Ds2 is 11 and it breaks my heart to think of those little ones injured and dead. Our local paper is now saying that the driver was putting on a dvd or a cd. I just hope that the parents, siblings, families,schools, communities etc of those involved have as much care as possible. My heartfelt sympathies and prayers to all involved. May they all rest in peace. X

Yes - I just heard that on the Belgian radio news. The children apparetnly told their parents that was what he was doing....

At dd's school they have made a big collage using photos from today's paper and written condolence messages. It brought a fresh tear to my eye. We have ben talking about the importance of tomorrow's Minute's silence on the way home.

Authorities seem reluctant to confirm that though. Presumably the survivors were seated some way back and there could easily be confusion between the two drivers. Even without the side lane, the tunnel should have been plenty wide enough to avoid veering off and give time to compensate for any such apse.

Swiss papers say that the tunnel CCTV does not support the Cd/DVD hypothesis....

Piglet: apparently there was a safety guard (sorry, not sure what he correct English term is) but it was destroyed on impact.

Whatever the cause, finger pointing won't help.
I know DHs school fortunately unaffected will be having the same silence.

rip. I think all the Belgian schools will do it. We will at work too. I think I have meetings all morning....might have to go hide in the loo.

It is incredibly sad, every time I think about it, I well up and I am usually nails.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, RIP all involved and peace to the survivors and relatives.

Agree that finger pointing isn't helpful. We need to await the results of the investigation. I think ALL the adults in the coach died though. So any verbal evidence needs to come from traumatised 12 year olds. God, it so awful!

Yes, finger pointing is useless and it may be that we are never really sure what happened in the end.

I have just seen a picture of all the hearses waiting in the town square in Zaventem (where I live) this morning, ahead of the bodies being flown back. Heartbreaking. The minute's silence was very moving. Everything stopped.

I saw that picture. I had to click off of it. Ridiculously it made me cry.

I have an afternoon of meetings! I could easily sit and sob, so trying to keep it together.

Oh Portofino, can you not claim a migraine and head home, my lovely?

I have not been able to get this out of my head since I heard it. The pictures of the children were heartbreaking. All beautiful young kids snatched away without mercy. I can't comprehend it. It's beyond belief. I have two sons, one due to make a long distance trip on a coach with his school and it makes you think twice about it. The parents I feel for so much. Utterly horrendous, I sat and cried watching the hearses too today. Utter shock. The poor kids. May they rest in peace. God bless them all.xxxx

Dd said she cried during the minute's silence today - but because she was thinking how upset I would be if she had died. Bless her - she got extra big cuddles after school. She wants to takes some flowers to the school at Heverlee tomorrow. Having heard first hand today of children losing their friends, it would be good to go and pay our respects, but I find myself welling up at the thought of it.

I don't think we will go tomorrow to the school in Heverlee, too much media still around. We will go to my girls' dancing school where children have been lost, and leave cards etc there. That will be difficult enough I think.

I saw the photo of all the coffins .... It is just so awful for everyone it is almost unbelievable. My most deepest sympathies go to those affected and those who have lost friends and family. However, I hope the press leaves the family and friends alone to grieve in private.

belgo, yes plenty difficult enough! (((hugs for your girls))).

hope all is well with you belgianbunxx

It's quite possible we will never know.... Apart from obvious sadness about the children, I do really feel for the wife of the driver. His health, actions, autopsy etc are all up for speculation in the press.....I worry about finger pointing and blame....and she is another innocent victim of this.