Beaune coach crash

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Beaune coach crash

On 31 July 1982, a deadly crash occurred on the A6 motorway near Beaune in eastern France. Fifty-three people died, including 46 children. Most victims were on a coach that caught fire after the collision.

What happened
- The passengers were from Crépy-en-Valois and were traveling with two coaches to a summer camp in Aussois, in the French Alps.
- It was raining and traffic was heavy on a day known in France as “Black Saturday.”
- Around 1:45 am, the road narrowed from three lanes to two. Two cars overtook between the coaches and cut in front of them.
- The leading coach braked suddenly for a slow-moving vehicle. The second coach hit the back of a car, causing a pile-up.
- A fuel tank ruptured and ignited; six vehicles caught fire. Most of the deaths happened on the second coach, which burned and trapped many passengers.

Rescue and casualties
- The first coach’s drivers and teachers evacuated many people. In the second coach, a side exit was blocked, but two teachers helped about 15 children escape through the back. Forty-four children remained trapped, along with two drivers and two teachers.
- In the two cars between the coaches, five people were killed; there were no survivors in those cars.
- Families were told the news around 6 am. The children’s names were announced by the mayor at 11 am. Funerals were held on 3 August 1982, with President François Mitterrand attending. Unidentified bodies were buried together in Crépy-en-Valois.

Aftermath and consequences
- The insurance payout to families totaled 12 million francs.
- In court, the coach company’s contractor received a suspended 18-month prison sentence and a 25,000-franc fine. One driver got a suspended six-month sentence, a suspended license, and a 2,300-franc fine.

Safety measures and memorials
- Transport Minister Charles Fiterman introduced lasting safety changes:
- Lower speed limits for coaches.
- In rain, speed limits of 110 km/h on motorways and 80 km/h on other roads.
- Restrictions on transporting large groups of children during busy late July/early August weekends.
- Heavy vehicles must have mechanical speed-limiters and tampering is prohibited.
- Public transportation vehicles must use non-flammable and non-toxic materials, and windscreens must be laminated.
- A memorial was erected in 1985 near Merceuil, close to the crash site. The child victims are buried in Crépy-en-Valois. Marie-Andrée Martin founded the Beaune Victims Association, which remains active. The town of Crépy-en-Valois holds annual commemorations.