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Five Britons die in Ecuador crash Five Britons die in Ecuador crash
(about 2 hours later)
Five young British women have been killed and another 12 Britons injured in a bus crash in Ecuador. Five British women have been killed and another 12 Britons injured in a bus crash in Ecuador.
The dead have been named as Rebecca Logie, 20, Lizzie Pincock, 19, Indira Swann, 19, Emily Sadler, 20, and Sarah Howard, 27. The dead are gap-year students Rebecca Logie, 20, Lizzie Pincock, 19, Indira Swann, 19, Emily Sadler, 20, and tour leader Sarah Howard, 27.
They were travelling with Warwick-based gap-year specialists VentureCo. Mark Davison, of tour organisers VentureCo, said the four students were heading to university in September.
Their bus is thought to have collided with another vehicle, near Jipijapa, between Quito and Puerto Lopez, on Saturday at about 1800 local time. The bus is thought to have collided with a lorry near Jipijapa on Saturday between 1800 and 1900 local time.
'Deeply saddened''Deeply saddened'
The victims' next of kin have been informed.The victims' next of kin have been informed.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said his thoughts are with their families and friends.Prime Minister Gordon Brown said his thoughts are with their families and friends.
A parent should never have to go through this. As a parent myself, my heart goes out to them Mark Davison, VentureCo director
His spokesman said: "The prime minister was deeply saddened to hear of the deaths of five young British people in Ecuador."His spokesman said: "The prime minister was deeply saddened to hear of the deaths of five young British people in Ecuador."
None of the Britons injured are thought to be in a critical condition, the Foreign Office said. A French national and two Ecuadorians were also hurt. None of injured Britons are thought to be in a critical condition. A French national and two Ecuadorians were also hurt.
VentureCo said the group was returning to Quito by air. The accident happened in Sancan, on the road between Manta and Jipijapa, an Ecuadorian news website reported.
The group had been heading to the second stage of their trip, which involved volunteering on a development project. They had just completed two weeks of Spanish language classes in the capital Quito.
Mr Davison, a VentureCo director, said the group was only 30 minutes from its destination, and the accident had happened in the least dangerous, lowland part of the trip.
"Any form of road travel in South America is inherently risky," he said. "We know this route well and we have groups there most months of the year.
"I think it was just an unfortunate combination of circumstances. It's a tragic accident. A parent should never have to go through this. As a parent myself, my heart goes out to them."
He added that the survivors planned to return to Quito by air before deciding what to do next.
A group set up on the social networking site Facebook ahead of the trip lists 18 expedition members, including one person from VentureCo.A group set up on the social networking site Facebook ahead of the trip lists 18 expedition members, including one person from VentureCo.
It says they were taking part in either the 15-week "Inca and Amazon Venture" or the 12-week "Inca Venture". It says they were taking part in either the 15-week "Inca and Amazon Venture" or the 12-week "Inca Venture". Both trips set out on 27 March.
Both trips set out on 27 March and started with two weeks of Spanish language tuition in the capital Quito, according to VentureCo's website.
Local pressLocal press
According to local newspaper La Hora, the women were killed when a bus from the company Reina del Camino hit another vehicle.According to local newspaper La Hora, the women were killed when a bus from the company Reina del Camino hit another vehicle.
The paper reports the injured were taken to hospitals in Portoviejo, Manta and Jipijapa.The paper reports the injured were taken to hospitals in Portoviejo, Manta and Jipijapa.
Around 22,000 Britons visit Ecuador every year, according to the Foreign Office.Around 22,000 Britons visit Ecuador every year, according to the Foreign Office.
The South American country - which includes the Galapagos Islands - is known for its volcanoes, tropical forests and rich wildlife.The South American country - which includes the Galapagos Islands - is known for its volcanoes, tropical forests and rich wildlife.
The travel editor of the Independent newspaper, Simon Calder, said the country's infrastructure was basic.The travel editor of the Independent newspaper, Simon Calder, said the country's infrastructure was basic.
"This is a third world country with all the problems that come with that," he told the BBC."This is a third world country with all the problems that come with that," he told the BBC.
He said the operators "will certainly have gone to every length to make sure that the local bus company is reliable and safe".He said the operators "will certainly have gone to every length to make sure that the local bus company is reliable and safe".
"Unfortunately you cannot legislate against accidents.""Unfortunately you cannot legislate against accidents."
Anyone concerned for the safety of a friend or relative in Ecuador can call the Foreign Office on 020 7008 1500.Anyone concerned for the safety of a friend or relative in Ecuador can call the Foreign Office on 020 7008 1500.