Updated 20:01, 11 September: Coach driver details
Tributes have been paid to a coach driver who was behind the wheel of a vehicle that crashed on its way back from a music festival, leaving two others dead and 50 injured.
The coach was returning to Merseyside from the Bestival event on the Isle of Wight when it careered off the road and hit a tree near Hindhead, Surrey, just before midnight on Monday.
Three people died and many passengers have been injured in the coach crash
The vehicle was carrying festivalgoers along the A3 in the direction of London when it left the road at a bend between the Hindhead tunnel and the exit for Thursley and hit an oak tree on an embankment.
All 50 survivors from the crash were taken to hospital, many of them with serious injuries, Surrey Police said.
No other vehicles were involved and officers are expected to consider whether the coach may have been overloaded as part of their investigation.
Sources said there were believed to be 53 people on board but the vehicle only has 52 seats, including the driver's.
The coach driver, named locally as Colin Daulby, was described by his neighbours in Warrington tonight as an "all round good guy".
Tom McLoughlin said: "We're all in shock. This is a close knit street and everyone knew Colin.
"I had known him for 20-odd years and spoke to him only the other day. He was a very good neighbour, an all round good guy."
Mr McLoughlin said the coach driver, the father of two adult sons, was often visited by his children and their families.
Another neighbour, Ann Parsons, said: "Colin would always come and chat. He wasn't intrusive but friendly and always had a kind word to say.
"I've only just come home from work and one of the neighbours told me what happened.
"It's terrible news and his family will be devastated. They are all very close."
Emergency services at the scene of a coach crash on the A3 near Hindhead in Surrey
Surrey police's Inspector Richard Mallett, speaking at the scene to Sky News, said some bodies were still trapped inside the coach on Tuesday morning.
"The bodies are still trapped inside the vehicle. As you can imagine it is a very delicate operation to remove them. With all due respect to them, we need to get them out properly."
One of the passengers has been airlifted to Southampton General Hospital with life-changing injuries. Further passengers, some of whom have serious injuries, have been taken to hospitals close by.
No other vehicles are believed to be involved, although the investigation is still at an early stage. Police believe the coach was travelling to the Merseyside region.
The road was closed in both directions while emergency services, including Surrey Police, Surrey Fire and Rescue and South East Coast Ambulance Service, deal with the incident.
Drivers faced long rush-hour delays on major routes on Tuesday following the fatal coach crash, but the road reopened on Tuesday morning.
Inspector Mallett confirmed the coach had gone off the road and crashed into a tree, saying it was a "tragic major incident."
"We are confident that there is no-one left in the vehicle alive. Our colleagues from the fire and ambulance service with their specialist teams have been through the vehicle. It is a body recovery operation at this point here."
Speaking of the wounded, he added: "Some have suffered significant and life-changing injuries."
The coach is understood to have been operated by bus company MerseyPride.
At its garage near Liverpool Airport today, a mechanic said owner David Hannell was not available.
He said Mr Hannell had been at the office since 3am today but left shortly before 8am and was not due back until later.
"He was here all night but I don't know where he is," the mechanic said.
Surrey Police is working closely with its counterparts at Merseyside Police, as well as with the coach company, to identify the passengers and notify relatives. A casualty bureau is being set up for anyone concerned about their relatives and the number will be circulated in due course.
Surrey Police Assistant Chief Constable Jerry Kirkby said: "This has been declared a major incident and we are working with our colleagues from the other emergency services and other partner agencies to provide a coordinated response in line with agreed protocols. Our thoughts remain with the relatives of the dead and the injured at this time and we are working very hard to notify their next of kin."
South East Coast Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb)said that 50 people from the coach were taken to hospitals in the area.
"Three people were pronounced dead at the scene and a total of 50 patients, some of whom have serious injuries, have been taken to hospitals across the region," the statement said.
"Following the first call received by SECAmb at approximately 11.50pm, a major incident was declared. SECAmb sent a large number of clinicians and vehicles to the scene, including both of its hazardous area response teams. SECAmb's patient transport service also provided support and SECAmb also received assistance at the scene from London Ambulance Service, St John Ambulance and the Red Cross.
"Our thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their lives and those who are injured."
It is understood that the organisers of Bestival are liaising with police over the incident.
A Casualty Bureau Number has been set up on 0800 056 0154 for anyone with concerns about passengers.