[Faline]

Three teenage pals just beginning a gap year Far East adventure have been killed in a bus crash. The sixth-form mates, all 19, died instantly when the coach they were travelling in was hit from behind by another bus in Thailand.

Two other British lads were injured and a Korean killed in the midnight accident which came only a few days into what should have been the "trip of a lifetime".

The dead were Max Boomgaarden-Cook, Conrad Quashie and Bruno Melling-Firth, who were all from South London.

They were travelling by coach from capital Bangkok to the city of Chiang Mai on the first leg of a nine-week trip through Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.

Max's dad Gerhard said: "I am absolutely devastated at the loss. I did not know human bodies could produce so many tears." Gerhard, 48, of Herne Hill, South London, added: "A few years ago Max said to me, 'Dad, before I am 20 I will have travelled around South East Asia'.


"It was a dream of his. I never dreamed he would be coming back in a metal container. "Just the day before the accident I had an email from him saying how much he loved me. He signed it with ten kisses."



The pals all attended different schools but became friends after joining the sixth form at The Charter School in Dulwich. It is believed they were all intending to go to Manchester University. Charter School head David Sheppard said: "They were delightful young people, credits to their families and communities."

One of the injured Brits was detained in hospital but the other, known only as Jack and thought to be a friend of the dead boys, was expected home last night.

Forty people of six nationalities were hurt in the crash. Provincial Thai roads have a notorious accident rate, often fuelled by drink and bad lane discipline.

[DollHead]

I wonder if the pointers got to them....