Britons killed in S Africa crash

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The students were due to fly back to the UK on Friday

Two British female students have been killed in a road accident in north-eastern South Africa.

The tourist truck was carrying 18 British students, two British teachers, a Zimbabwean driver and a South African guide.

The BBC's Karen Allen said a male student had been critically injured in the accident near Nelspruit.

The trip had been organised by Chameleon Worldwide, Hampshire, and the students are aged 18-22.

Managing director Mark Wright said it was a "tragic event" and would not name the college involved because relatives are still being contacted.

The emergency number for next of kin is 01962 737634.

It is understood the group was not in South Africa for the World Cup and they were due to return home on Friday.

'Pretty treacherous'

According to local reports the truck swerved and overturned on a road, and some of the injured were trapped under the truck for a period of time.

Local reporters said some of the injured were trapped under the truck

Karen Allen, in South Africa, said the region was mountainous and the roads were "pretty treacherous", but the infrastructure in the surrounding area was good and ambulances would be quick on the scene.

A statement issued on behalf of Captain Leonard Hlathi, from Mpumalanga Province, said the accident happened at noon local time.

Twenty people had been injured and many were treated at the scene before being taken to a local hospital, he said.

"A tour truck carrying British tourists was travelling from Swaziland via Barberton (R40 between Josephsdal Border Post & Barberton) to Nelspruit in Mpumalanga when the vehicle left the road," he added.

"A medical doctor responsible for tourist safety, as well as a bus safety inspector from the provincial traffic department are both at the scene."

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