Four Britons killed in bus crash on African safari

Four Britons have died in a minibus crash while on a safari holiday in South Africa, the Foreign Office said last night.

The victims – understood to be relations of the actress Helena Bonham Carter – were killed when the minibus lost control and overturned on Wednesday.

Three of the dead were named by sources as a 14-year-old Eton schoolboy, Marcus Egerton-Warburton, his grandmother Brenda Bonham Carter, 74, and his step-grandfather Francis Kirkwood, 75.

Marcus's mother, Fiona Bonham Carter, is believed to have sustained a broken collar bone while his brother Piers suffered whiplash. They were transported to Johannesburg hospital for treatment after the crash.

Reports suggest that the vehicle turned over after the driver struggled to keep control when a tyre blew out.

Marcus was a keen member of the Bembridge Sailing Club on the Isle of Wright. The club announced the boy's death on its website on Thursday.

It stated: "It is with the very greatest sadness that I have to inform you that Marcus Egerton-Warburton tragically died in a road accident in South Africa at around 4pm on Wednesday 20 August.

"They were in a minibus travelling between game reserves at the time of the accident."

It added that Charlie – believed to be referring to the boy's father – flew out to South Africa yesterday.

Friends of the dead schoolboy have set up an online memorial on the social network site Facebook. A grieving friend left the message: "I can't believe. I just can't believe it. One of the nicest guys in Eton. Will always miss you Markie boy. Love you forever." Another stated: "Can't put into words how much I will miss you... R.I.P. marci xxx."

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said: "We can confirm the deaths of four British nationals in a road traffic accident on 20 August."