THE shocked survivors of a coach crash that has left two dead and several critically injured have returned to Exmouth.
The two confirmed fatalities are both elderly women while a further seven were flown to hospital by air ambulance. Several more were taken to hospital by land ambulance.
The remainder of the group, who were on a day-trip to Cornwall organised by Exmouth's Age Concern, have now returned home. They have been described as "very shaken up."
Enid Goldup, who was a passenger on the coach, said: "When our coach hit the trees at the side all the glass came in all down the side, There were glass everywhere. We were in the seat in front of the back seat and the lady in the corner, she died. It was really horrible, It was terrible."
The coach was travelling down a hill towards Looe when investigators said "something happened" on a right-handed bend and it collided with a hedge.
Insp Andrew Hamilton, the officer leading the investigation into today's crash said the driver, a 57-year-old from Exeter, was still being questioned by officers after being arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
He said: "It was a very chaotic scene with lots of people being attended to. The ambulance crew were triaging the victims and we were managing witnesses.
"There were 37 passengers that were allowed to go on their way. We have spoken to all of them for initial accounts and will be taking detailed statements from them all over the next few days.
"The passengers are all very clearly shaken up. Many of them are elderly.
"The church hall was set up as a relief area for them to congregate and be tended to. They were held there before being put on another coach and taken back to Exmouth.
"There was one main organiser of the trip that has been contacting family members who may be concerned about their relatives.
"We will continue to gather evidence at the scene, speak to witnesses, and appeal through the media for anyone else to come forward. We will then sit down and look at whether any offences have been committed."
Organisers of the coach trip say they are devastated by the tragedy.
Steve Dace, chief officer at Age Concern's Exmouth branch, said the crash was a "tragic day" for the organisation and sent his sympathies to those injured in it.
He said: "Today has been a tragic and devastating day for all of us at Age Concern Exmouth. The trustees, staff and volunteers' thoughts are all with the relatives of the deceased.
"Our sympathy and thoughts go to everyone on the trip who will have suffered injury or shock at being involved in such an accident."
Mr Dace said the coach trip was arranged by the charity, but it was not solely for Age Concern members and was open to any member of the public over the age of 50 who wanted to go.
He added: "We have been using the coach company involved for a number of years and they have an excellent reputation. They have done all they can to support those involved in the accident.
"Help has been offered from our local social services and hospital service teams."
He urged anyone who wanted to get in contact with Age Concern Exmouth to call them on on 01395 271242.
The organisation's website explains that although Age Concern England and Help The Aged became known as Age UK in 2010, independent Age Concerns across the UK could choose whether to enter into a contract with Age UK or to remain completely independent at a local level.
Age Concern Exmouth says it was keen to retain its independence "and ability to be responsive to the needs of local people in the Exmouth and East Devon district".
