TWO St Neots families were lucky to escape serious injures after they were involved in a terrifying coach crash during a Turkish holiday. The families were travelling by coach from the resort of Marmaris to Dalaman Airport at 1am on Tuesday, September 2

TWO St Neots families were lucky to escape serious injures after they were involved in a "terrifying" coach crash during a Turkish holiday.

The families were travelling by coach from the resort of Marmaris to Dalaman Airport at 1am on Tuesday, September 22 when the coach hit a minibus.

Jeff Robson, of Monarch Road, said a minibus pulled out in front of them as they travelled along a dual-carriageway.

"Our coach was swaying between two lanes and it seemed like it was going to overtake the minibus, but instead it pulled back in and smashed into the back of it."

The coach then crashed into the central reservation.

Mr Robson, 53, who builds ladders for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service and works as a part-time gardener, said: "The coach tipped up on to two wheels but we were lucky it didn't tip over. There were no seatbelts so we were thrown about.

"People were screaming and it was pitch black so we didn't know what was either side of us.

"There had been a lot of cliff edges throughout the journey so I prepared myself for the coach to go over an edge."

Police were called to the scene and the passengers were transported to the airport, where they were assessed before being flown home.

Mr Robson was on the coach with his wife, Cheryl, and two sons, Craig and Daniel as well as Daniel's girlfriend, Gemma Bates. All of them suffered whiplash.

Also on the coach were family friends, Angie Drewry of Cambridge Gardens and her children, Graeme and Kelly.

Mr Robson, who had to have a few days off work to recover from the ordeal, added: "It was terrifying. We were all very frightened. It was the worst experience ever and I would never want to go through it again.

"I'm grateful that the coach stayed on the road and we were only walking wounded and we were all okay.

"I cannot just forget what happened as it keeps playing on my mind and I'm not sleeping too well."

He added: "The holiday was brilliant and I couldn't fault it but the driving in Turkey is terrible. I am returning in June for a wedding, but I will travel in daylight as I'll be nervous being on those roads again.