21 February 2023 , 07:23
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Six children are among a group of British tourists injured in a car crash in the French Alps during a skiing holiday.
More than 30 firefighters and two helicopters were called when a minibus carrying 16 Brits collided with a taxi near Albertville on Sunday.
The majority of those aboard the minibus were on their way to Geneva Airport as people headed home from the skiing resorts on the last day of half term.
The taxi was believed to be carrying a family of Brits and it is unknown what caused the accident.
A local gendarmerie told the Times: “One of the vehicles clearly left its side of the road.
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Rescue teams, including 30 firefighters, rushed to the scene of the accident (Getty Images/EyeEm)“We don’t know which one yet.”
He added both drivers tested negative for alcohol or drugs.
Ambulances took the injured to hospitals in nearby Chambéry, Albertville and Grenoble.
Photos from the scene showed the taxi with serious damage to the front of the vehicle.
The minibus is off the road as swarms of emergency services attend the scene.
The road was closed as a result of the accident, sparking nightmare journeys for people attempting to get home on the last day of the half term break.
It is unknown what caused the accident (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Long queues were reported in the area as a result of the crash.
Earlier in the week a British tourist died after crashing at high speed while in the French Alps.
The 50-year-old man suffered several injuries and a cardiac arrest after falling "several dozen metres" and impacting the ground during an off-piste skiing session at the alpine resort of Meribel.
The accident occurred in the Saulire sector in the resort, where the world skiing championships are currently being held.
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The skier was pronounced dead at the scene, according to local media reports.
A local ski station operator and witness to the incident said he saw the man “taking off” into the air before landing at a “very high speed”.
A mountain rescue team arrived at the scene within 15 minutes of being notified by the employee, according to French media.
Witnesses to the accident were reportedly "in shock" and receiving professional psychological support, reports.
French police have opened an investigation but at present believe the accident was caused by the high speed the skier was travelling.
In a separate incident, a 21-year-old American died in the Upper Savoie mountains, with media reporting that he fell 200 metres down the mountain near Chamonix.