More than 40 injured after coach of British tourists caught in Switzerland motorway crash involving four lorries

Destroyed: The front of the bus after the accident in central Switzerland
EPA/ALEXANDRA WEY
Tom Marshall5 September 2015

More than 40 people were injured after a coach carrying British holidaymakers crashed on a motorway along with four lorries in Switzerland.

Some 39 passengers were on board the bus, operated by Welsh firm Edwards, when the accident happened on the A2 near Lucerne.

The incident took place on Friday as the coach was returning to South Wales after a 10-day trip to Lake Como in Italy.

Some 41 people were reportedly injured, including four seriously, but a director at Edwards said none of the bus passengers suffered life-threatening injuries.

Commercial director Jason Edwards, 44, said the majority of people travelling with the company were from Wales and most of them would return home tomorrow.

Pile-up: The bus and four lorries were involved in the accident
EPA/ALEXANDRA WEY

He said: "The majority of passengers were discharged through the night and have been staying at a five-star hotel in Lucerne.

"They were mainly treated for shock and trauma. There were a few broken limbs. I've not heard about any serious life-threatening injuries.

"It was a brand new Mercedes coach, with the latest safety improvements.

"Having been in the industry for such a length of time, I know if it had been an older vehicle, there could have been fatalities."

Mr Roberts said the coach was stationary on the A2 motorway when it was struck by a lorry yesterday. Three other lorries were involved in the incident.

Examination: Firefighters inspect the scene of the accident
EPA/ALEXANDRA WEY

Twenty ambulances and three helicopters took the injured to hospital following the crash, according to reports.

Edwards carries some 80,000 people a year on its holiday tour operations and offers school transport to 6,500 pupils in south Wales.

The firm, which currently runs 250 vehicles, has also provided coaches to the Wales football and rugby teams, Cardiff City football club and the British Lions.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "There has been a multiple vehicle accident in Switzerland. We are providing support to those affected and remain in close touch with the local authorities."

Additional reporting by the Press Association.

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