MANY of the 18 pilgrims killed or injured in a bus crash in Jordan were from the York area, it emerged last night.

The British tourists, nine of whom died, were near the ancient city of Petra yesterday when their coach had a tyre blow out and hit a pick-up truck before somersaulting into the air.

Three Jordanians were also killed, including the driver of the bus and the driver of the truck.

Last night, church groups across Yorkshire said prayers for the families of the passengers, who were taking part in a spiritual tour.

The Reverend Stephen Burgess, chairman of the York and Hull Methodist District, said: "We are deeply sad about the news from Jordan of the coach crash, and aware that many of the passengers are from the Methodist community here in York.

"I know that Methodists and others locally will be remembering those involved in their prayers, and will be offering support to families and friends at this terrible time."

The Prince of Wales, who was on an official visit to the country, visited the survivors in hospital last night.

He said: "My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones in this ghastly accident."

Of the nine survivors, four were being cared for in Amman while the five more seriously injured were in hospital in Talifa, southern Jordan, closer to the crash site.

They are to be airlifted to the King Hussein Hospital today.

Prince Charles was joined by Jordanian King Abdullah as he arrived at the King Hussein Medical Centre to check on the conditions of survivors.

The prince said: "I have spoken to one of those who survived the accident. He could not have been more appreciative of the wonderful care that the Jordanian emergency services provided."

The Britons were on the sixth day of an eight-day tour to Jordan organised by Christian tour operator Pilgrim Travel of Deal, in Kent.

They were being driven to Mount Nebo from where, in the Bible, God showed Moses the Promised Land.

A retired Methodist minister from York is thought to have planned the trip.

Graham Haslam, who is in his late 60s, is believed to have been on the holiday with his wife, Margaret.

The Reverend Isobel Stuart, of Heworth Church, York, said: "They both worshipped at the church and I knew he was planning to go to Jordan with his wife. I don't think anyone else from my church went on the trip. I haven't heard anything from them."

Mr Haslam and his wife live in York and are believed to have a grown-up daughter and a son. They also have two grandchildren.

Bob Lawrence, who edits the Southlands Methodist Church newsletter in York, said: "He had organised about five of these trips before, every year he would do one. He had put posters up in the church.

"He had retired but was still very active in the community. He had gone out there with his wife."

One of the victims is understood to be a woman in her 70s who lived in sheltered accommodation in York.

She used to work at confectionery company Nestle and, according to the manager of the sheltered accommodation, was well-travelled and had been on many trips before.

It is believed that the woman was not married but had a brother.

It is also understood an elderly couple from the outskirts of York were killed, having cancelled the trip last year because of the problems in the Gulf.

The retired couple, who have not been named, have two grown-up daughters and were frequent travellers.

A neighbour said they were a lovely couple who had lived in the area for more than 30 years.

Another neighbour said: "They were very well respected couple and were popular in the neighbourhood."