Five die in horror UK coach crash

Police were today investigating the cause of a coach crash on the M25 motorway in England in which five people were killed and 40 injured, two critically.

The two drivers were among five people killed in the coach crash, a family member confirmed today.

The coach was travelling northbound near Slough in Berkshire at 11pm yesterday when it veered off the motorway and overturned, landing on its side in a field. Five were killed and 40 were injured, two critically.

Police, fire and ambulance services were called to the scene and the accident was declared a major incident. Three lanes of the four-lane section of motorway northbound were closed.

A Thames Valley Police spokeswoman said 41 passengers and two drivers were on board the single decker, 57-seater coach which was travelling from France to the Worcester area.

She said: “The coach involved was a private hire vehicle on a cross channel day trip.”

Most of those on board are believed to be in their 40s and 50s, though a couple of passengers were said to be in their late teens.

It is not known what caused the accident, but police said no other vehicles were thought to have been involved in the crash.

Of the seven women and five men taken to the Hillingdon Hospital, one woman is described as critically ill. She underwent surgery overnight.

Another woman and a man were admitted to the hospital for treatment for serious injuries.

Eighteen women and 10 men were taken to Wexham Park Hospital. Of these one was admitted to the intensive care unit whose condition is said to be serious but stable. Four others were admitted with serious cuts and wounds.

Chief Fire Officer Jeff Goddard said police would launch an investigation into the cause of the accident.