An investigation is underway into what caused a British holiday coach to crash into a house in Belgium.
An investigation is under way into what caused a British holiday coach to crash into a house in Belgium.
Four Britons were seriously injured in the crash, near the coastal town of Middelkerke shortly after 1100 local time (1000 BST) on Sunday.
Four Britons were seriously injured in the crash, near the coastal town of Middelkerke shortly after 1100 local time (1000 BST) on Sunday.
One has been released from hospital, two suffered cuts and bruises and will be released soon and the fourth is expected to be in hospital for a week.
One has been released from hospital, two suffered cuts and bruises and will be released soon and the fourth is expected to be in hospital for a week.
It is believed the crash happened when the coach swerved to avoid a car.
It is believed the crash happened when the coach swerved to avoid a car.
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.
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 - three passengers and a relief coach driver who was not driving at the time - were treated in hospitals at Bruges, Veurne and Ostend.
The injured - three passengers and a relief coach driver who was not driving at the time - were treated in hospitals at Bruges, Veurne and Ostend.
Ian Henry, Leger Holidays' managing director, said Belgian investigators were working with local officials to find out what happened.
Ian Henry, Leger Holidays' managing director, said Belgian investigators were working with local officials to find out what happened.
"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 the unfortunate accident," he 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 the unfortunate accident," he said.
"A full investigation is under way to establish the cause and investigators are working with local officials as we speak.
"A full investigation is under way to establish the cause and investigators are working with local officials as we speak.
"We were able to get a team of three Leger staff to the scene soon after, and another nine were mobilised from the UK office."
"We were able to get a team of three Leger staff to the scene soon after, and another nine were mobilised from the UK office."
He said a trained counsellor had spoken to passengers not seriously injured.
He said a trained counsellor had spoken to passengers not seriously injured.
Some were brought home by replacement coaches on Sunday and the remainder are expected to travel home on Monday.
Some were brought home by replacement coaches on Sunday and the remainder are expected to travel home on Monday.
Amputation
Amputation
After the crash they were assisted by the Red Cross in the fire station in Middelkerke.
After the crash they were assisted by the Red Cross in the fire station in Middelkerke.
BBC correspondent Dominic Hughes said the replacement coach driver - one of two drivers on board - has had part of his arm amputated.
BBC correspondent Dominic Hughes said the replacement coach driver - one of two drivers on board - has had part of his arm amputated.
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.
'I fell down'
'I fell down'
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.
Leger Holidays said the coach was three years old, and was fitted throughout with seatbelts.
Leger Holidays said 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.
