Peter Rippington
Peter Rippington, 59, died in the school coach crash n/a

Tributes to the Alvechurch teacher who died in a coach crash in northern France have flooded in. One pupil is still in a coma after the motorway crash.

Peter Rippington, 59, died in the crash and tributes from his students at Alvechurch Middle School in Worcestershire have flooded in, describing him as a "real character".

Ten other passengers on the coach were taken to hospital.

Rippington was killed when the bus, returning from a school skiing trip, flipped over on the motorway.

Kimberley Thornton, 23, from Redditch, left flowers for her former teacher.

She said: "He was my form tutor, he was absolutely amazing. He was just really a different kind of person, I could talk to him."

Former pupil at the school, Tom van der Plank, 13, said: "I went on the school ski trip with him in year six. We had a talent show and he dressed up as a woman. He was a real character."

Tom's mother, Kate, said: "All the parents loved him. He had been organising school trips for years.

"They were always very well organised and we felt safe letting our children go with him."

Rebecca Wilks, 17, said: "He was just the most amazing teacher - everyone used to call him a legend - he was just a really lovable guy."

One student said on Twitter: "RIP Mr Rippington. Great teacher, had such an impact on so many lives. Will truly be missed by all and never be replaced."

Another tweeted: "Mr Rippington was great. Best teacher. Thinking lots about his family at this terrible time."