A NORTH-EAST couple involved in a coach crash in the Nevada Desert have spoken of their relief at news of a record compensation settlement for victims.

Los Angeles County Superior Court announced yesterday that 39 British holidaymakers will between them receive more than £14m following the accident on a highway in Nevada, in the US, in September 2000.

The bus, which had been travelling at high speed, skidded out of control for 300 yards before over-turning leaving many victims with horrific injuries.

Malcolm and Gwen Thurman, from Newton Hall, Durham, managed to escape without serious physical injury.

Speaking yesterday, they said their solicitors had not yet informed them of the settlement, but greeted the announcement with relief.

Mr Thurman said: "We know nothing about any final settlement yet. It should have been settled on December 17 and it all went pear-shaped.

"It puts an end to the hassle and continual correspondence with the lawyers asking for information."

Although they escaped any physical harm, the emotional trauma of the accident has left a scar. Mr Thurman, 62, described the devastation following the accident as being "like a war zone".

He said: "I was completely uninjured and my wife was just slightly injured, with bruising and a bang on the head. But it's the mental aspect that takes a lot of getting over.

"Time is a great healer."

The couple, both former civil servants, were on the tenth day of a 15-day tour of the Western US when the accident happened. They were travelling from Las Vegas to the ski resort of Mammoth Lakes.

Coach driver Ali Rankouh admitted speeding.