FIVE people died yesterday when a tourist coach carrying British people crashed in Austria.

Thirty-three people were also injured in the incident near Salzburg, which happened when the bus driver lost control of the vehicle on a main road outside the town of Duerrnberg, at about 4.30pm local time.

There were a total of 46 people on board including 42 Britons, one Australian, two Russians, and a German.

The nationalities of those who died has not been confirmed.

Reports suggested that the coach got into difficulty as it was attempting to overtake another vehicle and then left the road. It fell 30 metres down a steep embankment, turning over and ending up on its roof in a field.

An alert was immediately sent out to all local rescue services and nine helicopters - including four air ambulances - went to the scene along with a large number of rescue vehicles.

The pilot of one helicopter said the scene looked like a war zone as he flew in.

Doctors and medics treated victims at the scene, as other rescue workers cut trapped passengers from the wreckage. All of those on board the coach were freed within about an hour of the accident.

A doctor who treated several of the injured at one of the hospitals said there were people of all ages involved.

Dr Nicholas Mates told Sky News that 17 British people were being treated at his hospital, including two children.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are aware of a serious coach crash in Austria involving British citizens and our staff are seeking more information.

"We stand ready to offer whatever help may be necessary."

A spokeswoman for UK tour operator Inghams confirmed the passengers were on one of its excursions.

She said: "An incident room hotline has been set up for the public to call for information, on 020 8780 6600."

The Foreign Office has set up an emergency number for people who fear they may have relatives involved in the crash. It is 020 7008 0000.