Nine British Tourists Die in Jordan Bus Crash

Nine British tourists on a religious holiday in Jordan were killed yesterday when their bus crashed near the ancient city of Petra.

The accident happened at around 11am when the coach the tourists were travelling in suffered a burst tyre, skidded into a pick-up truck and somersaulted on the desert highway near the southern Jordanian town of Tafila.

Three Jordanians were killed, including the bus and pick-up drivers, while at least 13 of the tourists - all thought to be elderly - were injured. The head of Tafila's Prince Zeid Hospital, Kamel al-Bawaneh, said five had been admitted with "severe" injuries.

All the injured were later airlifted by helicopter to the modern King Hussein Medical Centre in the capital, Amman, where last night they were visited by Prince Charles - who is on an official tour to the country - and King Abdullah of Jordan.

The Britons were on the sixth day of an eight-day tour to Jordan organised by a Christian tour operator, Pilgrim Travel, based in Deal, Kent.

Most of the passengers involved are thought to have come from the York area.

Reverend Stephen Burgess, chairman of the York and Hull Methodist District, said: "We are deeply sad about the news from Jordan of the coach crash, and aware that many of the passengers are from the Methodist community here in York. We are waiting for further information, and then we will be able to share it."

One of the few eyewitness accounts last night came via Samir Samawi, the uncle of the Jordanian tour guide who was injured in the crash.

Mr Samawi said the 36-year-old, who suffered a broken leg, bruises and cuts to his head, told him: "The front tyre blew out and the bus, after going into a truck, somersaulted."

The pick-up truck driver who died was reportedly Jordanian. His two Jordanian passengers were injured.

The British ambassador, Chris Prentice, said last night that embassy officials and the Foreign Office were trying to contact next of kin.

"The Jordanian authorities have responded immediately and those involved - the survivors - are being airlifted back to Amman. It was His Majesty the King's express wish."

He added: "It was a very serious and tragic accident. The main objective is to ensure the survivors are given the best possible treatment."

The group, which arrived in Jordan on Saturday from Heathrow, had spent two nights in Petra, the ancient city carved into the desert cliffs, and described on the website as the highlight of the trip.

The party were travelling back towards Amman on the dual carriageway between Wadi Rum and Madaba when the accident happened. They had been due to visit Mount Nebo, where, in the Bible, God is said to have shown Moses the Promised Land.

The group was due to fly home tomorrow.

David Symes, sales and marketing manager for the Jordan tourism board in London, said: "Our hearts go out to the families of those involved. The Desert Highway is a new, dual-carriageway road, which is in excellent condition and the main road which connects the north and south of the country. Vehicles in Jordan are maintained to a very high standard."