A 17-year-old British student was seriously injured during a half-term school skiing trip in Austria, it was revealed today.

The accident happened on the last descent of the holiday at the resort of Treffen, near Villach.

Nicola Smales was part of a group of 37 students and four staff from St Joseph's RC Comprehensive School in Hebburn, South Tyneside, who had made the trip abroad.

South Tyneside Council's education department officials said Nicola's parents immediately flew to Austria after the accident, which happened on Friday.

They are currently at her hospital bedside in Klagenfurt, where her condition has been described as very serious.

Barbara Hughes, South Tyneside's director for lifelong learning and leisure, said today: "We are doing everything possible to help the family during this distressing time.

"I understand that Nicola is an accomplished skier who was skiing in a small group with a nationally qualified instructor. This appears to have been a terrible freak accident."

Staff and pupils at the school have been holding special assemblies and a mass for Nicola.

Headteacher Joe Campbell said: ''Staff and pupils are traumatised by news of the accident.

"All Nicola's friends in the lower sixth are offering prayers for Nicola and her family and will be writing to them in Austria.

"Everyone here at St Joseph's is praying for Nicola, her family and her friends and offering them all our support and help."