Last SMS messages from students on fatal flight: Can't wait to come home

Daily Mail reports on the final messages from German students who died in the French Alps. Among the victims is Elena Bless, whom friends describe as a "happy girl" with dreams of going to university and traveling the world, reports the Patria news agency.

-She was sending messages via WhatsApp and Snap Chat, she was very happy about the trip. She had a great time, said Elena's best friend and schoolmate Philippa, adding that she sent her group photos from the places they visited.

Phillipa, who decided to skip the trip, says her friend Elena enjoyed learning Spanish, was happy and optimistic.

-She wanted to travel the world and attend college. We were excited about their return because they told us they had lots of pictures and lots to say.

-A good number of students were sending messages from the plane, they wrote that they were on the flight and couldn't wait to get home. They wrote things like "we bought you gifts," says Philippa.

-Elena and other friends were planning what they would do when they returned. I simply cannot believe they will never come back.

Daily Mail also contacted Annette Bless, the mother of the deceased Elena, who said she was "too upset to talk" to media ready to exploit the story.

Some of the students who missed the fatal flight for various reasons do not hide their relief at their decisions.

-I thought it would be fun to go there, but after this happened I'm glad I didn't, says Philippa.

The girl also recounted the moment the news spread through the school: "There was an announcement that the school was closing due to a serious incident."

-When I went outside I saw people crying and saying the plane had crashed, but I didn't believe it. I thought it was a nightmare.

Another student, Malin (17), also testifies to the traumatic scenes after the news spread through the school.

-A friend sent me a text message saying something terrible had happened to the flight. When I arrived at school, students were running around in tears, you could hear them saying 'oh my God'. It was awful. Everyone was in shock.