Tour operator saves the day for school after coach collision

Tour operator, Halsbury Travel, has reconciled with a school and parents after a tour had to be called off.

The decision was taken to cancel the trip after the coach that was due to take children from Patcham High School in Brighton on a football tour in the Netherlands had a minor collision with the school’s railings on Monday (7 July 2025). No one was hurt as a result of the incident. The damage to the coach meant the trip had to be called off and an immediate replacement coach was not possible due to the busy time of year for travel. Alternative transport arrangements could also not be found.

Parent of one of the children and teacher at the school, Louisa Fitzgerald, told B&CB the pupils were ‘heartbroken’ when they learnt the trip was cancelled.

Halsbury Travel provided a full refund for the cancelled tour and is to provide a free visit to Chelsea FC’s training ground, with return transport at no cost to the school or parents. It is also working on a rescheduled trip to the Netherlands for September, according to Louisa.

“I am very happy with the conclusion of this and very grateful for Halsbury Travel’s efforts,” said Louisa.