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Ecuador crash survivors treated Ecuador crash survivors treated
(10 minutes later)
Injured survivors of a bus crash in Ecuador, which left five British tourists dead, have been flown to the capital Quito for treatment.Injured survivors of a bus crash in Ecuador, which left five British tourists dead, have been flown to the capital Quito for treatment.
Twelve Britons, a French national and two Ecuadorians suffered whiplash, minor facial and leg injuries.Twelve Britons, a French national and two Ecuadorians suffered whiplash, minor facial and leg injuries.
Gap-year students Indira Swann, 18, of Berks, Lizzie Pincock, 19, of Somerset, Rebecca Logie, 19, of Lancs, and Emily Sadler, 19, of Hertfordshire, all died.Gap-year students Indira Swann, 18, of Berks, Lizzie Pincock, 19, of Somerset, Rebecca Logie, 19, of Lancs, and Emily Sadler, 19, of Hertfordshire, all died.
Travel company guide Sarah Howard, 26, from Cheshire, was also killed.Travel company guide Sarah Howard, 26, from Cheshire, was also killed.
'Bus shook''Bus shook'
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said his thoughts were with the victims' families.Prime Minister Gordon Brown said his thoughts were with the victims' families.
The group had been heading from Quito to the coast when their tour bus collided with a lorry.The group had been heading from Quito to the coast when their tour bus collided with a lorry.
She was a beautiful, bubbly girl with her whole life ahead of her. Her loss is indescribable Emily Sadler's familyShe was a beautiful, bubbly girl with her whole life ahead of her. Her loss is indescribable Emily Sadler's family
One survivor told the BBC: "I was asleep. I remember a big bang and the whole bus shook, and everything just stopped."One survivor told the BBC: "I was asleep. I remember a big bang and the whole bus shook, and everything just stopped."
The group was almost three weeks into a 15-week trip of a lifetime - an Inca and Amazon adventure involving language tuition and working on a series of volunteer projects.The group was almost three weeks into a 15-week trip of a lifetime - an Inca and Amazon adventure involving language tuition and working on a series of volunteer projects.
The holiday was organised by the British tour company VentureCo, which specialises in gap-year trips.The holiday was organised by the British tour company VentureCo, which specialises in gap-year trips.
Its director, Mark Davison, said: "I think it was just an unfortunate combination of circumstances. It's a tragic accident."Its director, Mark Davison, said: "I think it was just an unfortunate combination of circumstances. It's a tragic accident."
He said travel by road throughout South America had an inherent risk and pledged to "revisit" company procedures.He said travel by road throughout South America had an inherent risk and pledged to "revisit" company procedures.
CRASH VICTIMS Sarah Howard, 26: CheshireRebecca Logie, 19: LancashireLizzie Pincock, 19: SomersetIndira Swann, 18: BerkshireEmily Sadler, 19: Hertfordshire Victims united by love of travelCRASH VICTIMS Sarah Howard, 26: CheshireRebecca Logie, 19: LancashireLizzie Pincock, 19: SomersetIndira Swann, 18: BerkshireEmily Sadler, 19: Hertfordshire Victims united by love of travel
The parents of Emma Sadler have paid tribute to their "fun-loving and popular" daughter.The parents of Emma Sadler have paid tribute to their "fun-loving and popular" daughter.
"She was a beautiful, bubbly girl with her whole life ahead of her. Her loss is indescribable," they said in a statement."She was a beautiful, bubbly girl with her whole life ahead of her. Her loss is indescribable," they said in a statement.
The 19-year-old lived in Northwood, Hertfordshire, with her parents, two sisters and two brothers.The 19-year-old lived in Northwood, Hertfordshire, with her parents, two sisters and two brothers.
She was on a gap year before going to Manchester University to study history, and last spoke to her family on Wednesday. She attended North London Collegiate School in Edgware and was on a gap year before going to Manchester University to study history.
In a statement, her school said she had done exceptionally well in her exams and had tremendous potential.
The injured have been airlifted back to Quito where they are receiving treatment in local hospitals. It is likely the British survivors will return home shortly.The injured have been airlifted back to Quito where they are receiving treatment in local hospitals. It is likely the British survivors will return home shortly.
'Lorry involved''Lorry involved'
Meanwhile, Ecuadorian authorities have begun an investigation into the cause of the crash. British diplomats are said to be assisting them.Meanwhile, Ecuadorian authorities have begun an investigation into the cause of the crash. British diplomats are said to be assisting them.
The bus was torn apart in the crashThe bus was torn apart in the crash
The accident happened at 1930 local time on Saturday (0130 BST Sunday) in Sancan, on the road between Manta and Jipijapa.The accident happened at 1930 local time on Saturday (0130 BST Sunday) in Sancan, on the road between Manta and Jipijapa.
Ecuadorian police said the driver of a lorry carrying a load of sand crashed into the bus, owned by Reina del Camino, a company well known to Warwick-based VentureCo.Ecuadorian police said the driver of a lorry carrying a load of sand crashed into the bus, owned by Reina del Camino, a company well known to Warwick-based VentureCo.
The lorry driver then fled the scene.The lorry driver then fled the scene.
The travellers on the 15-week Inca and Amazon Venture, which set out on 27 March, had been heading to the second stage of their trip, which involved volunteering on a development project at the fishing village of Puerto Lopez.The travellers on the 15-week Inca and Amazon Venture, which set out on 27 March, had been heading to the second stage of their trip, which involved volunteering on a development project at the fishing village of Puerto Lopez.
They were planning to renovate a children's creche there.They were planning to renovate a children's creche there.
The group was reaching the end of an eight-hour journey and was 30 minutes from the village in the lowlands when the crash happened.The group was reaching the end of an eight-hour journey and was 30 minutes from the village in the lowlands when the crash happened.
About 22,000 Britons visit Ecuador every year, according to the Foreign Office.About 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.
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.