Holidaymakers die in coach crash

The family of a British woman killed in a coach crash in Tasmania say they are comforted by the knowledge she was having a wonderful time before she died.

Judith Franklin, 63, a former nurse, and her husband Colin, 67, were touring with two friends when their coach slipped off the road and plunged into a ravine.

Four people died in the accident near the Cradle Mountain complex, including Mrs Franklin and a couple from the Scottish Highlands.

Three other British tourists, including Mr Franklin, were taken to hospital. One woman was said to be seriously injured.

The Franklins, who run an arable farm in Abington, Cambridgeshire, were travelling with two friends, Harry Meredith, a retired heart surgeon and his wife, Kathleen, who lived in Australia.

Mr Meredith died in the accident and his Irish-born wife was in a serious condition.

Louisa Kenzie, the Franklins' daughter said: "My brother spoke to them only last week and they were having a wonderful time. So that is a comfort, they were really enjoying themselves.

"They were on a six-week holiday and were due back on March 1.

"We are all suffering from shock. The whole family is gathering here at home and now we just want to get them home. "

Inspector Matthew Richmond of Hobart Police said the coach stopped on a narrow gravel road to allow another vehicle to pass then "just seems to have toppled over down a steep bank".

People can contact the police in Hobart direct on (0061) 3623 02677 or the Foreign Office consular division in London on [phone].