Driver Held In Jeep Safari Crash

The driver of a 4x4 vehicle which killed a British father and daughter in Turkey, has been detained by local police.

Jonathon Pearce, 38, and his daughter, who are from the West Midlands, were on a Jeep safari trip near Dalyan when they were killed in the accident.

Mr Pearce's eight-year-old nephew is in a "critical but stable condition".

The other people injured were also members of the same extended family, except for one other British person.

A spokeswoman for the travel company First Choice said "at this stage, we are unable to confirm exact details of the accident".

However, the spokeswoman confirmed that the customers were on a Jeep safari organised by a third party not affiliated with First Choice.

"We would like to express our heartfelt sympathy to family and friends during this deeply sad time," she added.

The Jeep Safari day long tour, run by Sarigermetours Travel Agency, has no age limit, but under-14s must be accompanied by an adult.

The tour starts with visiting "typical Turkish villages", following by off-roading to lakes, mountains and canyons.

The family, who were part of a larger group excursion, are receiving consular advice while local police investigate the incident.

Ms Whitby, a neighbour of the family, from Primrose Hill, Smethwick, said she was "shocked" to hear what happened.

"They really are a lovely family - such a hard-working family, they work such long hours," she said.

The Foreign Office said it was not their policy to release the name of children who die in such circumstances.

(DS)