This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6738697.stm

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Britons injured in Belgian crash Britons injured in Belgian crash
(about 4 hours later)
A British tourist coach has crashed into a house in Belgium leaving four people seriously injured, Belgian police have said. A British holiday coach has crashed into a house in Belgium leaving four Britons seriously injured.
Three British tourists were among those hurt in the crash near the coastal town of Middelkerke shortly after 1100 local time (0900 GMT). The Britons - a coach driver and three tourists - were hurt in the crash near the coastal town of Middelkerke shortly after 1100 local time (0900 GMT).
The coach, from Rotherham-based Leger Holidays, was ending a European tour. 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.
The company said the coach, carrying 35 passengers and two crew, was returning to the UK following a nine-day tour of Prague, Vienna and Budapest. Hospital treatment
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.
'No escape'
Passengers with less severe injuries were taken to Ostend.
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'
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".
In a statement Leger Holidays said the crash happened after an overnight stop at 1110 local time (0910 GMT). 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."
Leger said 32 of the 35 passengers were safe and being looked after in a hotel. Two people in the car and two in the house were slightly injured.
One of the two drivers on the coach at the time of the incident remains in hospital, while the other was not hurt. Counselling offered
Two people in the car and two in the house were also slightly injured. Leger Holidays said three of the 35 passengers involved were in hospital.
The managing director of Leger Holidays, Ian Henry, said the drivers on the coach which crashed travelled into Europe "virtually every week throughout the summer with us... so it's a route they regularly use". 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 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."
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? Send us your experiences using the form below. You can also email photos to: yourpic@bbc.co.uk. Are you in the area? Send us your experiences using the form below. You can also email photos to: yourpic@bbc.co.uk.
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
NameName