UK youngsters hurt in Canada crash

9:21pm Thursday 7th August 2008

A tour bus reported to be carrying British youngsters was involved in a head-on crash in Canada.

Eleven people were taken to hospital after the bus collided with a lorry in eastern Ontario shortly after 6pm.

Police reported that the tour bus was full of young passengers from England, aged between 14 and 21.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office was unable to confirm any details, but said: "We are looking into the reports."

Describing damage to the vehicles as "excessive", City of Kawartha Lakes Constable Mark Boileau told CTV Newsnet: "It appears it's a head-on collision between the two vehicles."

The police officer said collision investigators were examining the scene to find out what caused the crash.

He said it was not yet known if weather was a factor.

"It was raining up here prior to the accident but that will be determined by the investigation," he said.

The Canadian authorities said they were in the process of informing families.