PARENTS in Suffolk and Norfolk were anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones today after coaches carrying schoolchildren from both counties crashed in Germany.

PARENTS in Suffolk and Norfolk were anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones today after coaches carrying schoolchildren from both counties crashed in Germany.

Two people have died in the accident, which also involved a lorry, on the A4 motorway between between Kerpen Buir and Duren, south west of Cologne.

The coaches were carrying children and teachers from Thomas Mills High School, in Framlingham, and the independent Norwich School.

A further 28 people were injured - four seriously - and all were children aged between 14 and 18, said a Cologne Police spokesman.

The dead are believed to be an assistant driver seated at the front of one of the buses and a 14-year-old boy.

The accident happened at 5.45am local time.

It is believed the lorry crashed into one of the coaches, which had stopped on the motorway hard shoulder.

The second bus then crashed into the scene.

Francis Thomas, of Suffolk County Council, said the children were on their way to a skiing holiday in Austria.

He said he could not confirm or deny whether the dead teenager was a pupil at the school.

He said it was half-term in Suffolk and many parents had gone away on holiday as well, making it more difficult to contact them.

He added: "We are in touch with British consulate officials at the scene and we are making all the necessary arrangements and trying to contact parents as quickly as possible.'

A Norwich County Council spokesman said none of the children was seriously hurt on the Norfolk bus, which was also taking children on a skiing holiday.

"We believe all the pupils from that school are uninjured,' he said. "They are being brought home at the moment.”

All parents had been contacted and were told to contact the school if they needed any more information, he added.

John Jennings, assistant headteacher and head of sixth-form at Thomas Mills High School, said staff had come into the school today to try and contact the parents of those involved.

Worried relatives can call a Foreign Office helpline on 0207 008 0000.

See tonight's Green Un for the latest news - updates on outlets later. Full story and reaction in Monday's Evening Star.