14/03/2012 BBC News at Six

22 children from Belgium have been killed in an horrific accident

coming back from a school skiing trip. Their coach crashed head-on

into a wall as it drove through a tunnel in Switzerland. 00 medics

and firefighters battled through the night to save as many as they

could. Six adults are dead, many more children seriously injured.

The anguish of the parents waiting to find out if their children are

among the dead. And the school's in shock.

Eight children, we don't know what is happening with them. The older

children have broken legs and arms. Our teacher and our monitor, they

are dead. Also on the programme:

Cautious optimism as unemployment rises again, but more slowly than

before. How President Obama showed David

Cameron the two leaders are talking the same language.

David, we are chuffed to bits that you are here.

I'm looking forward to a great Nater.

I'm confident that together we are going to keep the relationship

between our two great nations absolutely top-notch.

And a tale of new cities. Three towns across Britain are granted

city status after winning a Jubilee competition. Good evening.

Welcome to the BBC News at Six. 22 school children from Belgium aged

11 and 12, have dieded after their coach crashed in Switzerland as

they were coming home from a skiing trip. Six adults including the two

drivers were killed and 24 other children have been hurt, most are

reported to have life-threatening injuries. Belgium has declared a

national day of mourning. The school party had only just left

the ski resort when the accident happened near Sierre at 9 o'clock

last night. The coach swerved and hit a wall head-on while travelling

through a tunnel. About 200 police, firefighters, doctors and medics

worked through the night to try to save the dying and injured.

Christian Fraser is at the crash scene for us.

Thank you very much. This is peak skiing season in Switzerland and a

lot of school coach parties are in the alps at the moment. I'm sure a

lot of parents at home are deeply anxious and horrified by what

they've heard and read today. Deeply saddened too the town of

Sierre which sits alongside the tunnel behind me, you had to catch

the rescue unfold last night. There is a tribute that's growing on this

bridge behind me. I've been speaking to rescue workers today.

Some of these people were long serving, experienced professionals

and they tell me they were deeply shocked by what they encountered.

They worked long through the night, freeing the survivors in cramped,

traumatic conditions. Embedded in the tunnel wall, the coach, full of

11 and 12-year-old children, those who could had already clambered

from the wreckage. But there were many still trapped inside.

Over 200 emergency workers rushed to the scene. There were 12

ambulances and eight helicopters that ferried the injured to

hospital. When we saw the first patients

coming out, this was the first horrific moment also for us. You

could imagine what it would look like inside the tunnel. The full

horror of the accident was write none the wreckage they removed this

morning. So violent the impact that the front third of the coach was

torn apart. In all, 28 people died, among them 22 children and both

drivers. This is the opposite side of the

tunnel that we drove through today. The prosecutor has ruled out any

suggestion the driver was speeding. Nonetheless, the coach appears to

have hit the right hand wall before colliding head-on with a concrete

pillar that forms part of the emergency exit.

It's unlikely that driver fatigue will be to blame for this accident,

since the school party were just over an hour into their return

journey. The weather and the driving conditions were good, much

as they are today. In this tunnel, there is a steep

kerb which is, if you hit it at speed, it would throw the steering

wheel and that scenario will form part of the investigation which is

now under way. The victims were from the villages

of la Mel. Eight of the children were from the same Sint

Lambertusschool. When the school gates opened, some parents were

still learning of the accident. While a number had confirmation

their children survived, there were those who had to assume the worst.

We have 24 children here of our school. Eight children we don't

know what is happening with them. The other children have broken legs

and arms. Our teacher and our monitor, they are dead.

The families flew to Switzerland aboard a specially charted military

flight. The Belgian Prime Minister who visited the scene this

afternoon spoke of a national tragedy.

Switzerland has some of the strictest driving regulations in

Europe and this is their worst coach accident in 30 years. Tonight,

24 people remain in hospital, three of them young children still in a

coma. In Belgium, a small community is

grieving and their nation mourns with them.

We have just had a press conference in the nearby town at which the

Belgian Prime Minister's spoken, no words to describe the pain was the

term that he used. They've also clarified some of the details that

they've managed to ascertain so far. I told you in that report that

they've ruled out speed. That leaves three other options. They

are looking at a technical problem with the bus, although it was new

and it was fitted with all the safety equipment that was required,

including the seat belts. They are looking at the driver's health,

whether he might have suffered a heart attack, something which may

have meant he couldn't actually control the bus. And they're also

looking, of course, at driver error, whether indeed he hit that kerb and

then lost control of the steering wheel. We are told one child is

still in intensive care. Speaking to the rescue workers today, it's

very clear that those who did cur vief are going to need an awful lot

of love and care. One person said when they walked into the tunnel,

there was no screaming and shouting, there were just children standing

by the bus who were numb at what they encountered. -- survive.

Some of those killed were from a small school in a Belgian town. Our

correspondent is there at Heverlee for us. It's agonising for the

parents, particularly some of them don't yet know whether their

children are among the dead, is this right? It's the uncertainty

that is most dreadful for this town. You can see behind me, this is the

school, there are flowers candles, pictures and tributes that some of

the young children have put for their teacher Frank who they lost.

Almost the worst thing is, we just don't know how many children have

died. It's feared that eight children from this school have died.

We know that three have died, the families of five still waiting for

confirmation. In another school a couple of miles north, it's feared

that 14 children have died. The priest who was here when the

parents were summoned at breakfast said there was this terrible

contrast between the relief on the faces of parents who'd heard from

their children who knew they'd got out and the agony of those who

feared their children were dead. Just to add to that agony, we have

heard from the authorities in Switzerland today that there is a

great difficulty identifying the bodies of those who've died. So

even the comfort of knowing is denied to many parents and the

waiting goes on. Thank you.

An investigation is under way into what caused the tragedy with

attention focusing on the driver and the condition of the coach. Our

Transport Correspondent Richard Westcott is here. There will be a

lot of worried parents out there with children going on coach trips.

How safe is it to travel by coach? The answer is it's very safe. There

is reassuring news out there. If you look at the figures for 2010,

the latest we've got. Buses and coaches are actually amongst the

safest vehicles on the roads. There were nine deaths in that year, and

if you compare that to cars, 835 deaths. Of course, across the ch U,

it's a similar picture as well, 150 fatalities across the EU in 2010.

But that is barely half a percent of the total number of people

killed. It sounds obvious, but coaches are big, they tend to be

strong so they tend to be safer. heard in this case that the coach

was new and appeared to have the safety equipment. How tightly are

they regulated? Very tightly here and in the EU. Companies face

regular inspections from Government inspectors, things like tiredness,

the drivers are regulated on the number of hours they can work but

they can in exceptional circumstances take a 15-hour day

with regular breaks, but they can work a long shift. Speeding, we

know that's not an issue here, but most coaches are limited to around

60mph as well. Seat belts, Christian mentioned those.

Interestingly, across the UK, the rules are tighter than in Britain.

If Britain, if you are under 14, you are not legally obliged to wear

your seat belt on a coach. The driver can't make you do it. In

those cases, it often comes down to the teachers on the coaches making

sure the children are sat down with their belts on and so on. The

reality is, coaches are safe, but you are always going to get

horrific accidents like we have had in Switzerland.

Thank you. The number of people out of work

has risen again, though by less than before. Official figures

though the increase was the lowest in almost a year. The number of

people unemployed now stands at.67 million. The Government says it's a

sign the situation is stabilising - - 2.67 million. Hugh Pym has been

to Leicestershire where the picks chur is mixed.

A week to go to the Budget and there are more hard decision force

the Chancellor to make. Today from a jobs market which has been

overwhelmingly gloomy, this there were a few rays of sunshine. Up to

the three months to January, unemployment rose to 2.67 million

by 28,000, the smallest increase for nearly a year. Public sector

employment fell by 37,000 in the final three months of last year,

but the rise in private sector employment up by 45,000, more than

made up for public sector losses. That's not much consolation for

Dawn Ryder from Leicester. She's consulting a recruitment adviser

after being made redundant last month. She was a middle manager

with a retail chain. She hopes to find something soon, but the

experience of being out of work has hit her hard.

For so many years, I've been used to getting up at early hours,

getting into work, long hours, weekends. And that's now all gone.

You just totally feel lost. Although I still get up, it's for

what? That's the biggest hardship you feel with yourself, you're just

lost now, you're unknown. Some areas of the economy are growing

faster than the others and therefore creating more jobs. One

example is renewable technology. This construction company is

building the foundations for a windfarm and it's taken on more

staff. There are fewer public sector

contracts going but the building firm's found other opportunities

like this project in Leicestershire and just last week, it signed up

six apprentices. We wouldn't be taking them on if we didn't feel

like they had a long-term future here. We took on some apprentices

last year and they are all still here today working on our sites

throughout the UK. The new recruits are certainly relishing the

opportunity. Makes me feel really good. I do

have friends who're struggling to find jobs and getting made

redundant. But there are companies out there willing to take on new

apprenticeships. So with spring comes some hope and

in Northern Ireland, the jobless number fell slightly, but there's

still a long way to go, bringing unemployment down remains a

daunting challenge. The Metropolitan Police a subjected

a schoolboy with learning disabilities to battery. They were

in breach of the Human Rights Act when they forced the 16-year-old

into handcuffs and leg restraints during a school swimming trip in

2008. The police said they would apply to appeal the decision. The

Supreme Court has told a group of former servicemen who say they were

made ill when they witnessed nuclear testing in the South

Pacific that they cannot claim damages because their cases were

brought too late. The veterans watched more than 20 explosions

between 19 52 and 1958. The Ministry of Defence said there is

no proof their ill-health was the direct result of the tests.

With a 19 gun salute and 17,000 guests gathered on the south lawn,

David Cameron was spare nod ceremony in his welcome to Barack

Obama to the White House this afternoon. David Cameron said

relations between Britain and America had never been stronger. On

Afghanistan, President Obama said there were no plans to speed up the

withdrawal of coalition troops. Our North America editor, Mark Mardell,

reports. The essential allies roll up at the

White House to celebrate a relationship the Prime Minister

says is deep and broad. There were kisses for those he called kindred

spirits. President Obama has pulled out all the stops. He was bowled

over by his reception is London and was determined to put on all the

pomp America can muster. A 19-gun salute, only heads of state get 21.

A crowd of more than 5,000 local children on the lawn, a hand shake

for the ecstatic few. Reviewing the troops stresses an essential part

of the special relationship. Britain's an essential allie, but

as a march-past by the red-coated Fife and drum corps reminded were

also the oldest enemy. In 1812, we burned this place to the ground,

the two men joke about that and the President had fun with the common

language that divides us. David, we are chuffed to bits that you are

here and I'm looking forward to a great Nater. I'm confident that

together we are going to keep the relationship between our two great

nations absolutely top-notch. President said America and Britain

stood together and bled together and that military cooperation is at

the core of the relationship and the heart of what the two men

discussed today. In The Oval office, the two men talked about Iran,

Syria and Afghanistan. They agreed that Afghans would increasingly

take the lead role in combat operations from next year. When

that was first announced last month, it was a shock to Britain. The

President suggested that wouldn't happen again. There are going to be

multiple challenges along the way. In terms of pace, I don't

anticipate at this stage that we are going to be making any sudden,

additional changes to the plan that we currently have.

The Prime Minister said people had to understand why troops were still

there. It's simply that we want

Afghanistan to be able to look after its own security with its own

Security Forces so we are safe at home.

This visit has been a mixture of the intensity serious and some

friendly fun. Last night, they watched a basketball game together

and munched on hot dogs. Tonight, it will be posher nosh with a full-

For the President and Prime Minister, Afghanistan is still

clearly at the top of the agenda? It is, but it is far from the only

thing. This trip has been far from announcements but long on ceremony.

I thought there was a great danger when the President said he was

chuffed, that he might turn around to the Prime Minister and call them,

mate. And turn to Samantha Cameron, and call her, love. This was about

a gesture being made to Britain, but it is easy to forget the

substance that was being talked about. On Afghanistan, they are

talking about how to end and -- a war. The signal being sent was that

if the Afghans can take control in 2013, they don't want to spell it

out, these two leaders, but British and American troops will be able to

come home a little faster. On Syria, they acknowledged that they had

investigated the military options there, but thought it would be

quicker to remove President Assad in a different way. To try to get a

transition at the top, rather than a revolution from below. There were

striking words from the President on the issue of Iran. He said the

diplomatic window was fast closing. That is diplomatic speak for saying,

we're getting closer to military action taken by Israel, if they

believe they can no longer live with what they perceive is a threat

from Iran. Forget all the words, the pomp and circumstance, forget

all the fun. This is a relationship, the President said, had at its

backbone the two military is of our country. They are talking about

ending one war and contemplating the possibility that there could

Our top story: 22 school children from Belgium are among those killed

in an horrific coach crash in Switzerland.

Coming up, Sam and Michelle in the spotlight, with an itinerary as

carefully choreographed as that of their husbands.

In business on the news channel, a very public letter of resignation.

A former Goldman Sachs employee says the bank is toxic. And the

property ombudsman says the letting Three new cities have been

announced, to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The winners, out

of 25 competitors, are Chelmsford in Essex, Perth in central Scotland

and St Asaph in Denbighshire, which is now one of Britain's smaller

cities, with just 3,500 inhabitants. Have they been celebrating? They

are really delighted. Although for many people here, the presence of

the cathedral behind me means they have always really thought of

themselves as a small city. Now it is official. This is one of three

new cities across Britain. Even though for many of us, its name

doesn't quite yet slip off the tongue. Chelmsford, Perth and St...

Say... Have been awarded the right to call themselves a city.

St Asaph in North Wales is just 3,500 people. It is hardly Paris,

New York or London, but they have always been convinced the City

status is theirs by right. We have one of the largest sheep markets in

Wales. Not necessarily what people would regard as crucial for city

status. No, but if you are a Freeman of the City of London, you

get to be able to drive your sheep across London Bridge. Perhaps they

will be asking farmers to come across the city bridge of St Asaph

in due course. North of the border, Perth is now Scotland's 7th city.

Its bid was rooted in history. This was the first capital of the Scots,

after all. Nicknamed the fair city, Perth lost its status as part of

the local government shake-up in 1975. Now it is back. I think it is

richly deserved. It was a city, it was taken away from it, and it has

got back what it should have always had.

In England, Chelmsford in Essex celebrates new city status. A

champagne moment. Chelmsford is now the first city in England's second

largest county. It has been a long time coming. At last, at last. It

has taken long enough. I have been following Chelmsford City Football

Club for a long time and it has always been a joke that it is not a

city, but now it is, it is brilliant. Four other cities, it

has been a day of disappointment. This was Reading. Cheltenham.

Chelmsford? Some people would say, do we need a city, does it make any

difference? I think, yes, it does. It is outrageous. Disappointing.

should be a city. A similar reaction in other communities,

including Bournemouth on the south coast. Not everyone gets to call

their town a city. Perhaps that is why for some, it feels so important.

On this auspicious day, that's not forget Northern Ireland. As part of

the process, armadas to appoint a Lord Mayor -- Armagh get to appoint

A man who admitted concealing his father's body for almost five

months after his death, in order to claim his benefits, as been jailed

for three years. Police found the body of Guy Blackburn in the living

room of his home in Lancashire in March last year. His son,

Christopher Blackburn, had been living at the house with his 10-

year-old daughter, telling her her grandfather was asleep.

He kept his father's death a secret. For five months, Christopher

Blackburn lie to his family, friends and neighbours. Why did you

do that? The motive, police say, was greed. He has left in decaying

in his house whilst he has continued to live there. He has

then continued to claim and spent his father's benefits. This is

where his father, Guy Blackburn, lived. Neighbours became suspicious

when he stopped coming out of his house. Totally disgusted. Dear D

Ray cooked meals for the 54-year- old, thinking he was too sick to

leave home. When you said to Christopher, how is your dad doing,

what did he say? OK, and walk off quick. He would never look me in

the eyes. He would always do it quick. It was always straight off,

no conversation. That is what made me wonder if there was something

else wrong. Neighbours did ring police. After Christopher

Blackburn's daughter told a friend, my grandad is dead. When police

came inside, they said there was an immediate strong smell of decay.

Next to Guy Blackburn's body were male and newspapers dated from the

third and 4th November. When they asked his son, Christopher

Blackburn, what was going on, he said he had seen his dad alive a

week earlier. In fact, he had died from heart disease five months

before. It was Stephen Twyford who first called police. I asked him

how his father was, he said he was OK. To me, he knew what was going

on. But as soon as we got the police involved, he got caught out.

Christopher Blackburn was to date jailed for three years. The judge

The Prime Minister and the US President have been talking up the

special race issue between the UK and the United States. Michelle

Obama and Samantha Cameron have been cementing their own, -- the

special relationship between the UK and the United States. They held a

mini Olympic competition and talk to British schoolchildren who

travelled to Washington to meet the first lady.

24 hours in the spotlight. Michelle Obama and Samantha Cameron develop

I want to join in and also welcome our very special guest, Mrs

Samantha Cameron. Samantha Cameron, hearing more about one of Michelle

Obama's causes, tackling touted obesity through exercise. What did

the athletes at this many Olympic Games make of their celebrity

guests? It was a great experience and I will remember it for the rest

of my life. If Britain and America can get together, it will help kids

get together and make better relationships. Michelle Obama is

from the south side of Chicago. Samantha Cameron has an

aristocratic background. Despite these differences, the two high

profile working mothers have bonded. The students are from the Elizabeth

Garrett Anderson School, visited by Mrs Obama in London. Now she has

invited them to the White House. The girls have been getting some

advice from the first lady and Mrs Cameron. I remember Mrs Obama

saying, if you fail, just get up. I took that in and I know next time I

fell, I shall get up and move on. They told us we have defined a

passion, no matter what it was. a visit showcasing Britain's role

as America's key ally, these influential women are reflecting

the ties between their husbands and Let's look at the weather now.

It is dry nearly everywhere, that is the easy bit. Deciding whether

cloud is going to break has been challenging. It was a cloudy start

to the day, white cloud, wafer-thin, it is like tissue paper. All of a

sudden, the cloud broke across many parts of the day and the sun came

out. It was quite delightful. In other places it stayed resolutely

cloudy and cool. We have another challenge overnight tonight with

the prospect of fog forming. It will ironically fall where it is

peer at the moment. That is more likely across the southern half of

the UK -- where it is clear at the moment. One or two places could get

close to freezing. Further north and west, cloudier. Patchy rain

turning up across parts of western Scotland. That will continue on and

off through the day. Other western areas will stay rather dull. Once

the fog has cleared, we will see increasing amounts of sunshine

across the more southern and eastern parts of the UK. The

forecast comes with a bit of a health warning, there is still a

lot of uncertainty about the detail. It looks as if further west you are,

it is more likely to stay cloudy. Further east, in the sunshine, 17

or 18 is possible. Not too bad at Cheltenham. Generally across

central and parts -- eastern parts of England we should have a fine

enough the -- afternoon. For western Scotland, the rain will pep

up later in the day. That will signify a change. A disorganised

gaggle of weather fronts will cross the country. Fairly hit and miss.

As we hit the weekend, most of us will see a splash of rain and start

to feel a touch cooler as well. Keep up-to-date with the changes by

checking out the website. Make the most of the sunshine if you manage