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| Britons injured in Belgian crash | Britons injured in Belgian crash |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A British tourist coach has crashed into a house in Belgium leaving four people seriously injured, Belgian police have said. | A British tourist coach has crashed into a house in Belgium leaving four people seriously injured, Belgian police have said. |
| Three British tourists were among those hurt in the crash near the coastal town of Middelkerke shortly after 1100 local time (0900 GMT). | Three British tourists were among those 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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' | 'No escape' |
| Passengers with less severe injuries were taken to Ostend. | 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. |
| 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). | In a statement Leger Holidays said the crash happened after an overnight stop at 1110 local time (0910 GMT). |
| Leger said 32 of the 35 passengers were safe and being looked after in a hotel. | Leger said 32 of the 35 passengers were safe and being looked after in a hotel. |
| One of the two drivers on the coach at the time of the incident remains in hospital, while the other was not hurt. | One of the two drivers on the coach at the time of the incident remains in hospital, while the other was not hurt. |
| Two people in the car and two in the house were also slightly injured. | Two people in the car and two in the house were also slightly injured. |
| 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". | |
| 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 video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |
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