One Briton among 50 dead in Russian airline crash

A Boeing 737 crashed in Russia killed a British woman - Donna Bull- and 49 other passengers.

13:07 18 November 2013

53-year-old Briton Donna Bull was one of the passengers pronounced dead after a Boeing airliner crashed near the Russian city of Kazan on Sunday. 

49 other passengers, which include the son of the president of the Russian Republic of Tatarstan and six crew also died. According to reports, the pilot attempted his second landing when it exploded on impact while trying to touch down at Kazan airport.

The authorities are now conducting an investigation to figure out if the crash was a result of technical failure or crew error. Other factors that they are looking into include the rain on the night of the crash and poor quality fuel.

Meanwhile, it was found that Bull had been travelling to Kazan for a 10-day marketing tip together with her colleague Yana Baranova.  She worked at Ballerbys College in Cambridge and she was described as a  "very popular and well-respected member of staff".

James Pitman, managing director of Study Group, which runs Bellerbys Colleges, said: "Donna joined Bellerbys Cambridge in April 2012 as an A-levels programme manager.

"She was a very popular and well respected member of staff and will be sorely missed by both her students and colleagues.

"Yana, although based in Moscow, forged close relationships with Bellerbys staff in the UK in her capacity as recruitment manager and will likewise be sorely missed.

"We offer our heartfelt condolences to both families during this very difficult time."