DIARY OF DEATH; Log shows Jordan bus flaws.
Byline: JANE KERR in Amman, JordanA DIARY found at the scene of the Jordan coach crash reveals the bus was in a poor state.
Entries show it broke down last Sunday - and that another tyre had burst shortly before the blow-out which caused the fatal accident.
Two totally bald tyres and a tachograph, almost certainly from the coach, were left behind by police who towed it away, the Mirror can reveal.
The driver lost control of the bus on the Desert Highway dual carriageway as he drove south to Mount Nebo last Thursday. It crossed the dual carriageway, hit a truck going the other way and then toppled down a bank.
Nine of the 18 tourists on board died, as well as both drivers and an Egyptian guide. Yesterday, we returned to the scene and found papers and possessions scattered around.
They included a passenger list, itinerary and the diary.
Last Thursday's entry read: "Mount Nebo. Left at 8am. Tyre blew on coach." The entry for Sunday, October 24, read: 'Bus breaks down. Lose one hour'. The itinerary showed the group was due to travel 200 miles on the day of the crash - 100 more than on any other day.
Also lying in the dirt were plastic tags bearing the names of Leonard Tant and Owen Dale. Both men died. A pair of sunglasses, a bag of Werther's Original toffees, travel books, a lipstick and sun lotion were among the debris.
The holiday-makers were members of Methodist churches in Newcastle upon Tyne, York and Hull.
The Foreign Office have named the dead as Richard Fothergill, 67, and wife Angela, 65; Mr Dale, 66 and wife Jean, 63; Nancy Ansbro, 67, Hazel Clemmet, 62, Hilda Brisby, 80, Margaret Haslam, 70, and Mr Tant, 69.
Last night nine Britons including tour leader the Rev Graham Haslam were still in hospital in Amman, the capital, two in intensive care .
British Embassy staff said "meticulous" efforts had been made to safeguard possessions of passengers recovered by police.
Yesterday we handed them the belongings and evidence we found. Spokesman Pat Phillips said: "We're very grateful. We will make sure the possessions are returned to the families involved."
CAPTION(S):
ORGANISER: Graham Haslam; TELLING: This diary entry shows another tyre burst on the day of the crash; CARNAGE: The coach after last Thursday's horrific crash in south Jordan
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| Publication: | The Mirror (London, England) |
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| Date: | Nov 1, 2004 |
| Words: | 393 |
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