Four Britons killed in Florida car crash

  • Published
Scene of crash in Florida
Image caption,

All four occupants of the car were killed in the crash

Four members of a British family have been killed in a car crash as they returned from the Kennedy Space Centre, police in Florida have said.

The 30-year-old driver and three passengers died in the crash on Monday, Titusville Police Department said.

Adam Stephenson, Maryanne Stephenson, 29, Brian Stephenson, 66, and Sheralyn Stephenson, 56, all from Bristol, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said Mr Stephenson drove into the path of a pick-up truck.

Media caption,

Todd Hutchinson from Titusville Police Department said the crash was the "worst possible impact you can have"

The family, all from Tower Road, Bristol, were believed to be driving back to their rental home when their Mitsubishi sedan was hit by a Ford pick-up on Monday evening.

A preliminary investigation found Mr Stephenson drove the rented vehicle into the path of a pick-up truck on the SR 405 at the junction with Sisson Road..

It found GPS in the vehicle was instructing a "U-turn" at an intersection "most likely because of an earlier crash with road blockage".

Image caption,

The crash happened as the family was returning from the Kennedy Space Centre

Titusville Police Department deputy chief Todd Hutchinson said: "Our emergency personnel were on the scene within a few minutes.

"There was nothing they could do, all four were pronounced deceased at the scene."

He added the brother of the driver was also on holiday, but had not travelled with the family to the Kennedy Space Centre.

"He lost his brother, his sister-in-law and his mum and dad," he said.

"[It is] very, very tragic."

The driver of the Ford pick-up truck was taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of four British people who have died in Florida.

"Our thoughts are with them at this deeply difficult time."

Image caption,

Police said the driver drove into the path of a pick-up truck