THREE people died and many more were seriously injured on Monday night when a coach travelling north on the A3 careered off the carriageway and hit a tree between the Hindhead Tunnel and the Thursley slip road.

The 52-seat coach was returning to Merseyside full of young festivalgoers, who had been enjoying the Bestival music event on the Isle of Wight, when the accident occurred just before midnight.

No other vehicles are believed to have been involved and the investigation continues to establish the cause of the accident, which was declared a major incident.

Surrey Police Assistant Chief Constable Jerry Kirkby said: "This has been a tragic day for the families of the deceased and a traumatic incident for all those involved.

"Surrey Police has been working tirelessly to keep people informed and it will be some time before the full facts have been established."

The driver, named as Colin Daulby, from Warrington, and two passengers were declared dead at the scene. Another passenger was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital with "life-changing injuries".

For full story, see this week's Petersfield Herald.