A COACH full of children had a lucky escape this week when they were involved in a head-on fatal road crash.

Their coach driver Kevin Boaks, 33, was hailed a hero after averting a major disaster.

His quick reaction and skilful driving meant only himself, a handful of Grange comprehensive pupils and one school governor needed hospital treatment.

The coach party of 58 pupils and five teachers were travelling to the Menai residential centre in Anglesey for a week-long break.

The youngsters, aged 12 to17, were part of a convoy of five coaches carrying 250 pupils from the school in Latham Avenue, Runcorn, to North Wales.

One coach hit a Renault Megane on the A570 near Llandudno at around 1pm on Monday. The impact of the collision was so great that the car ended up hanging from a roadside tree.

A doctor and a surgeon fought to save his life at the scene but he was dead on arrival at hospital.

A spokesman for North Wales fire service said: "The car had skidded off the road and was hanging by a tree trunk which prevented it from ending up in a ditch.

"Priority was given to stabilising the car to enable rescuers to reach the driver and eventually release him but, despite all attempts to revive him, he was declared dead."

Seven pupils, the school governor and the coach driver were taken to Glan Clwyd Hospital suffering from cuts and bruises but were later discharged.

They were able to continue their journey and plan to go ahead with their week's programme.

Grange headteacher David Stanley praised the driver for his professionalism in averting a tragedy.

The coach was fitted with seatbelts and a check had been made prior to the journey to ensure all the youngsters were wearing them.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.