A British holiday coach has crashed into a house in Belgium, leaving four Britons seriously injured.
A British holiday coach has crashed into a house in Belgium, leaving four Britons seriously injured.
The Britons - a coach driver and three tourists - were hurt near the coastal town of Middelkerke shortly after 1100 local time (1000 BST).
The Britons - a coach driver and three tourists - were hurt near the coastal town of Middelkerke shortly after 1100 local time (1000 BST) on Sunday.
The coach, from Rotherham-based Leger Holidays, was ending a European tour with 35 passengers and two crew aboard.
The coach, from Rotherham-based Leger Holidays, was ending a European tour with 35 passengers and two crew aboard.
The accident happened when the coach swerved to avoid a car and hit a house, causing part of a wall to collapse.
The accident happened when the coach swerved to avoid a car and hit a house, causing part of a wall to collapse.
Hospital treatment
Hospital treatment
The company said the coach was returning to the UK following a nine-day tour of Prague, Vienna and Budapest.
The company said the coach was returning to the UK following a nine-day tour of Prague, Vienna and Budapest.
The accident happened between the towns of Middelkerke and Nieuwpoort, near the coastal city of Ostend.
The accident happened between the towns of Middelkerke and Nieuwpoort, near the coastal city of Ostend.
The injured were treated in hospitals at Bruges, Veurne and Ostend.
The injured were treated in hospitals at Bruges, Veurne and Ostend.
BBC correspondent Dominic Hughes said four people had suffered very serious injuries, including one of the drivers who had had part of his arm amputated.
BBC correspondent Dominic Hughes said four people had suffered very serious injuries, including one of the drivers who had had part of his arm amputated.
Those who were not injured have been assisted by the Red Cross in the fire station in Middelkerke.
Those who were not injured have been assisted by the Red Cross in the fire station in Middelkerke.
'No escape'
'No escape'
Belgian police spokesman Roy Van De Gunst said the coach had hit a house after trying to avoid a collision with a car.
Belgian police spokesman Roy Van De Gunst said the coach had hit a house after trying to avoid a collision with a car.
"The car came from a side street and the driver of the coach saw the car and tried to avoid a collision but came into contact with the house because there was no escape for him possible," he said.
"The car came from a side street and the driver of the coach saw the car and tried to avoid a collision but came into contact with the house because there was no escape for him possible," he said.
He said the coach was carrying "middle-aged people and pensioners".
He said the coach was carrying "middle-aged people and pensioners".
Ewalt Spinnewyn, a boy who was one of six people in the house who all escaped serious injury, said: "I was studying, I fell down with the desk on top of me. When I was trying to get out I had to push everything around me away."
Ewalt Spinnewyn, a boy who was one of six people in the house who all escaped serious injury, said: "I was studying, I fell down with the desk on top of me. When I was trying to get out I had to push everything around me away."
Two people in the car and two in the house were slightly injured.
Two people in the car and two in the house were slightly injured.
Counselling offered
Counselling offered
Leger Holidays said three of the 35 passengers involved were in hospital.
Leger Holidays said three of the 35 passengers involved were in hospital.
Two of them had cuts and bruises and will be released in the next few days, and the third is expected to stay in hospital for up to a week.
Two of them had cuts and bruises and will be released in the next few days, and the third is expected to stay in hospital for up to a week.
The company said one of its two British drivers on board, who was not driving the coach at the time, will remain in hospital.
The company said one of its two British drivers on board, who was not driving the coach at the time, will remain in hospital.
The remaining holidaymakers have been put up in a hotel and offered counselling, and will return to the UK on Sunday and Monday. Leger staff have travelled to the scene.
The remaining holidaymakers have been put up in a hotel and offered counselling, and will return to the UK on Sunday and Monday. Leger staff have travelled to the scene.
Managing Director Ian Henry said: "Clearly our thoughts and concerns go to those still in hospital, to their family and friends, and to the passengers who have been shaken by today's unfortunate accident."
Managing Director Ian Henry said: "Clearly our thoughts and concerns go to those still in hospital, to their family and friends, and to the passengers who have been shaken by today's unfortunate accident."
He told BBC News 24 the coach was three years old, and was fitted throughout with seatbelts.
He told BBC News 24 the coach was three years old, and was fitted throughout with seatbelts.
Friends and relatives should call 01709 786502 for further information and check the Leger Holidays website at www.leger.co.uk.
Friends and relatives should call 01709 786502 for further information and check the Leger Holidays website at www.leger.co.uk.
Are you in the area? Use the form below to contact the BBC or you can text us on 61124 (UK). You can also email photos to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk.
Are you in the area? Use the form below to contact the BBC or you can text us on 61124 (UK). You can also email photos to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk.
