This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34613637

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
France bus crash: Pensioners killed in truck collision France bus crash: Pensioners killed in truck collision
(about 1 hour later)
At least 42 people, most of them pensioners on a day trip, have been killed in a head-on collision between a bus and a truck in south-west France. At least 43 people, most of them pensioners on a day trip, have been killed in a head-on collision between a bus and a truck in south-west France.
The crash happened on a country road near Puisseguin in the Gironde wine region, east of Bordeaux. Both vehicles then caught fire.The crash happened on a country road near Puisseguin in the Gironde wine region, east of Bordeaux. Both vehicles then caught fire.
France's president promised a full investigation into what he called an "immense tragedy".France's president promised a full investigation into what he called an "immense tragedy".
It is the worst French road disaster since 1982, when 52 people died.It is the worst French road disaster since 1982, when 52 people died.
The bus collided with the timber truck at 07:30 local time (05:30 GMT), at what local residents described as a notoriously dangerous bend in the road.The bus collided with the timber truck at 07:30 local time (05:30 GMT), at what local residents described as a notoriously dangerous bend in the road.
Both vehicles quickly caught fire. Both vehicles quickly caught fire. Local people reported seeing a plume of smoke from several kilometres away.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls, speaking from the scene, said 42 people died "in atrocious conditions in this bus, which was in flames after a very violent head-on collision". Video on French television showed two blackened vehicles, with the bus facing the wood-transporter's trailer, its cab skewed to one side.
He said eight people had survived, four of whom were in a serious condition. Prime Minister Manuel Valls, speaking from the scene, said the victims had died "in atrocious conditions".
"It's a terrible shock for France," he added.
Eight people survived, four of whom were in a serious condition.
Local MP Gilles Savary told RTL radio (in French) that one of the injured was a motorist who had stopped at the scene and tried to rescue people.Local MP Gilles Savary told RTL radio (in French) that one of the injured was a motorist who had stopped at the scene and tried to rescue people.
Regional officials said the bus driver had survived the crash but the lorry driver was among the fatalities.Regional officials said the bus driver had survived the crash but the lorry driver was among the fatalities.
RTL also reported that the body of a young child had been found in the cabin of the lorry, possibly the driver's son. The body of the lorry driver's three-year-old son was also found in the cabin of his vehicle.
Officials say it will take a long time to recover all the bodies.
Day tripDay trip
Puisseguin mayor Xavier Sublett told the radio that the lorry driver had lost control of his vehicle. The bus driver had tried to avoid the lorry but was hit by it, he added. The exact cause of the crash is unclear, but Puisseguin mayor Xavier Sublett told the radio that the lorry driver had lost control leaving him "stranded in the middle of the road". The bus driver tried to avoid the lorry but was in collision with it, he added.
Other reports said the bus driver then managed to open the doors and get some passengers off the bus.Other reports said the bus driver then managed to open the doors and get some passengers off the bus.
Most of those on board were members of an elderly people's association from the small town of Petit-Palais-et-Cornemps, which has a population of just 700, along with others from neighbouring communities.Most of those on board were members of an elderly people's association from the small town of Petit-Palais-et-Cornemps, which has a population of just 700, along with others from neighbouring communities.
They were at the start of their journey, and were heading south for a day trip into the Landes region.They were at the start of their journey, and were heading south for a day trip into the Landes region.
Town councillor Jeremiah Bessard told iTele channel that its residents had been hit hard by the news: "We all knew someone." The flags in Puisseguin have been lowered to half mast. Town councillor Jeremiah Bessard told the iTele channel that its residents had been hit hard by the news: "We all knew someone." The flags in Puisseguin have been lowered to half mast.
More than 60 firefighters attended the scene. The wounded were airlifted to hospital.
The exact cause of the crash is not yet clear.
President Francois Hollande, who is on a visit to Athens, said the government had "fully mobilised" to deal with the tragedy, and said he had been "plunged into sadness".President Francois Hollande, who is on a visit to Athens, said the government had "fully mobilised" to deal with the tragedy, and said he had been "plunged into sadness".
Are you in the region? If you have any information to share with the BBC, you can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in the region? If you have any information to share with the BBC, you can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form belowOr use the form below