A CHORLEY gap year student is one of five Britons who died in a bus crash in Ecuador.

Rebecca Logie, 19, died last night as she travelled from the country's capital, Quito, to a fishing village on the coast as part of a trip organised by gap year travel specialists VentureCo.

Ecuadorian police said a lorry carrying sand crashed into the left side of the bus.

The lorry driver fled the scene, according to police.

A further 12 Britons, a French national and two Ecuadorians, a driver and a tour guide, were also injured in the accident.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said it was understood the local authorities had appointed a prosecutor to investigate the tragedy.

The other victims were named as Indira Swann, 18, Elizabeth Pincock, 19, Emily Sadler, 19 - all students taking a year out between school and university - and Sarah Howard, 26, a freelance trip leader on her first expedition for VentureCo.

Gordon Brown expressed his sadness at the tragic news.

His spokesman said: "The Prime Minister was deeply saddened to hear of the deaths of five young British people in Ecuador.

"His thoughts are with their families and friends."

In an internet blog Rebecca, who was due to start a degree in September, told of her feelings head of the trip.

She wrote: "Bit nervous, bit excited but I'm pretty confident that they will all be lovely, interesting people.

"I can't plan anything for this huge gap in my year, and I'm going to miss events such as my little sister's 18th birthday."

Friends began to post tributes to Rebecca, a former St Michaels CofE High School pupil, on her social networking Facebook site.

Peter James Simon McEvoy wrote: "You were such a determined and brilliant person and I can only be glad that I was able to have known you."

Kelly Louise Birchall wrote: "You were one of the most beautiful people I have ever met.

"Words cannot describe how much you will be missed. I smile to have known you."

Nicole Thomason wrote: "R.I.P Becci. You didn't deserve this.

"To be taken so soon is truly a tragedy. I miss you. You were amazing and talented and will be truly missed."

The crash happened about 7.30pm local time yesterday in Sancan, on the road between Manta and Jipijapa.

Mark Davison, the director of VentureCo, based in Warwick, said the group were reaching the end of an eight-hour journey and were just 30 minutes from their destination when the accident happened.

The group were taking part in the 15-week "Inca and Amazon Venture", which set out on March 27 and began with two weeks of Spanish language tuition in Quito.

The group was going to the poor fishing village of Puerto Lopez, where they were to build sanitation and other facilities for a creche.

In a statement, VentureCo said: "Our deepest sympathy goes to those involved and their families and friends."

The Inca and Amazon Venture was to last until July 10, and cost £5,645.