UK holidaymaker killed in Alpine bus plunge

A further two tourists are believed to have been killed in the collision, which happened at around 2pm UK time in the Alpe d’Huez resort, according to local reports.

The bus was said to have been transporting passengers home following a week-long break but crashed as it travelled down the steep mountain road, which features 21 hairpin bends.

Reports suggested the vehicle’s brakes may have failed, leading it to plunge over a cliff.

A Grenoble police spokesman said: “There is not much information at the moment but on the face of it, at least one Briton has died.

“We do not know how the crash happened.”

He said all the passengers on the bus were believed to be British.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are aware of the tragic incident involving British nationals in the Isere region of southern France.

“We are in touch with the local authorities and are providing consular assistance.”

British travel organisation Abta and the Ski Club of Great Britain were attempting to get more details on the incident.

A Ski Club of Great Britain spokeswoman said: “We don’t know if they were travelling with a tour operator or not.

“Alpe d’Huez is one of the largest French ski resorts and welcomes quite a few British tourists.”

The coach is understood to have burst into flames following the crash, which happened as it reached the bottom of the mountain, French regional news website ledauphine.com reported.

Several people were said to have become trapped inside the burning vehicle.

A further four tourists were seriously injured, while one wounded passenger was evacuated by helicopter. Others were treated on the roadside, ledauphine.com said.