Timetable of events
Monday September 27
11.20am GMT, a coachoperated by Springbok Atlas Travel and contracted by Thomas Cook Holidays skids off a mountain road on a hill approaching Lydenburg. Up to 29 people are believed dead. Ten minutes later, Thomas Cook Holidays receives the news and assembles its crisis management programme.
3.30pm: the media is informed by the operator.
7.30pm: the first Thomas Cook team fly out to South Africa to support the survivors and deal with local hospitals. One-and-a-half hours later, a legal team and coach expert are flown out.
Tuesday September 28 1am: death toll of 26 tourists is confirmed to the media.
Morning: Europ Assistance are flown over to carry out aclinical review of the injured.
The rest of day in the UK is spent giving interviews to the press. The decision is taken to air ambulance six survivors to Johannesburg for specialist treatment. Tuesday evening many relatives fly out with Thomas Cook reps.
Wednesday September 29 pm: Thomas Cook Holidays director and general manager Simon Laxton flies out to oversee work in South Africa.
Thursday September 30
am: South African transport minister announces plans to set up an inquiry and introduce a series of safety measures including vehicle fitnesstesting, lower speed limits for buses and the regulation of maximum driving hours.