Five British tourists were killed and 12 injured in a bus crash in Ecuador late yesterday.
Four gap-year students and their guide died when their tour bus was in collision with another vehicle as they travelled from the capital Quito to the coastal town of Puerto Lopez.
Indira Swann, 19, Elizabeth Pincock, 19, Rebecca Logie, 20, Emily Sadler, 20, and tour leader Sarah Howard, 27, died in the crash, which happened at around 6pm near the town of Jipijapa.
They were taking part in a trip organised by Warwick-based gap year specialist VentureCo.
Director Mark Davison told Sky News the younger four of the dead women had planned to start university in September.
He said they died within 30 minutes of their destination on a part of the road regarded as the 'safer part' of the journey.
An investigation has been launched into the crash.
Ecuadorian police said a truck carrying a load of sand crashed into the left side of the bus, and the lorry driver fled the scene.
Twelve Britons, a French national and two Ecuadorians, a driver and a tour guide, were injured in the crash.
None of the injuries are believed to be critical.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was 'deeply saddened' by the news, his spokesman said. 'His thoughts are with their families and friends.'
