Three Britons killed on field trip as South Africa bus overturns

Two women and one man were killed near Nelspruit, close to the Kruger National Park, after their driver apparently lost control of the vehicle.

The bus was carrying 20 students and two members of staff from the Brooksby Melton College, in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

The group were studying a foundation degree course in animal management and welfare and had been due to return home to Britain today, hours before the World Cup kicks off. The casualties' ages ranged from 19 to 25.

Executive mayor of Mbombela Lassy Chiwayo said emergency teams arrived within 15 minutes but could do nothing to save the two women, who died at the scene.

The third casualty was rushed to an intensive care unit but died later.

A case of culpable homicide has been opened against the driver, a Zimbabwean, although police are still investigating whether to bring charges.

Mr Chiwayo said: "Indications are that the driver may have lost control. It's one of the roads which is quite notorious." A spokesman for the British High Commission last night said four more casualties remained in intensive care or in a "highly dependent" state.

Another eight patients were detained in hospital overnight for observation. Those admitted included the two course lecturers.

The incident cast a shadow over World Cup festivities. There were also further problems relating to crowds being crushed, with six people injured in a surge at Cape Town's main World Cup fan zone.

It was the second such incident in less than a week. Last Sunday 15 fans were injured in South Africa while trying to gain entry to a warm-up fixture between Nigeria and North Korea.

The World Cup warm up got underway last night in fine style in Soweto, with a concert featuring Shakira, the Black Eyed Peas and Alicia Keys.

And with England's campaign due to get underway tomorrow night against the US, skipper Steven Gerrard said he was "very moved and very touched" to have received a DVD from British Forces in Afghanistan containing well-wishes for the team from the front line.