Three people have died and eight others are fighting for their lives after a coach carrying tourists crashed into a cliff face in the south west of France.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The bus smash happened when the coach was driving in darkness close to the Pyrenees ski resort of Porté-Puymorens, near Andorra, and the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle.

It ploughed into the cliff and overturned leaving three passengers dead and eight others – including a four-year-old child – injured. 

More than 100 firefighters and other emergency services rushed to the scene shortly after the crash.     

A local emergency services spokesperson said: ‘Five helicopters are involved in an operation to rescue more victims. 

‘So far, three people have died, and eight others are in intensive care in nearby hospital.’

They added that the injured four-year-old was one of the casualties in intensive care.

The coach, which was on its way back to its home depot in Barcelona following a day trip to Andorra, was the only vehicle involved in the accident.

It is thought that the driver lost control following a problem with its brakes.