Britons killed in S Africa crash

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Two British women have been killed in a road crash in north-eastern South Africa.

The accident, which saw a tourist bus overturn near Nelspruit in Mpumalanga province, reportedly left 20 others injured, one of them critically.

Eighteen British students, two British teachers, a Zimbabwean driver and a South African guide were on board.

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

Managing director Mark Wright said it was a "tragic event" and that relatives were still being contacted.

He said he had been told that some casualties had been airlifted to hospital in Barberton.

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

A team from the company was on the ground dealing with the incident, he said, and more people from the company would be flying out on Thursday.

"We have a senior director and other members of staff flying out late this afternoon and we have offered relatives and next-of-kin of those affected for us to co-ordinate their travel arrangements," he said.

Nicola Brewer, the British High Commissioner to South Africa, confirmed the deaths of the two Britons and said: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with the families and loved ones of those involved."

She said she was leading a crisis team heading to the area.

She said: "Our first priority is to visit the injured in hospital and get in touch with their families back home."

Brooksby Melton College in Leicestershire said it was aware that some of its students had been involved in the crash.

The students were believed to be studying animal management and welfare.

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

'Pretty treacherous'

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

The BBC's Karen Allen in South Africa said a male student was critically injured in the crash.

She said the region was mountainous and the roads were "pretty treacherous", but the infrastructure in the surrounding area was good and ambulances would have been quick to get to the scene.

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

Many of the injured 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.

The emergency number for anyone concerned about friends or relatives is 01962 737634.

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