French transport minister Frederic Cuvillier praised Mr Wrightson's "remarkable courage" when he visited the scene.

BBC: Alps coach crash: British driver killed is named

French transport minister Frederic Cuvillier visited the scene near Alpe d'Huez and said Maurice Wrightson, 64, had displayed "remarkable courage".

BBC: Scene of French Alps coach crash

Mr Cuvillier suggested that Mr Wrightson, from Ashington, had saved lives by trying to slow down the vehicle by hitting rocks rather than risk it going over a precipice.

BBC: Alps coach crash: British driver killed is named