The British coach driver who died in a crash in the French Alps has been praised for saving passengers lives.

The coach, which was travelling from Alpe d’Huez to the UK was carrying 50 staff from tour operator Skibound.

Three Britons were seriously injured in the incident, which resulted in the coach bursting into flames.

French transport minister Frederic Cuvillier praised driver Maurice Wrightson, 64, from County Durham, for displaying “remarkable courage”. It is thought that the accident could have been much worse had the coach not slowed down prior to the crash. 

There may have been a problem with the vehicle’s breaks, according to police.