14 killed as bus crashes into tree in India

At least 14 people were killed when a speeding bus crashed into a tree in northern India, a police spokesman said.

Surendra Srivastava said at least 24 other passengers were injured in the pre-dawn crash near Amroha town in Uttar Pradesh state today.

Police are searching for the driver, who fled the scene.

About 60 people were on the bus. Most were returning from a religious ceremony in the Hindu holy town of Haridwar.

The injured were taken to a nearby hospital where doctors said the condition of seven of them was serious, Mr Srivastava said.

India has the world's deadliest roads, with more than 110,000 people killed every year. Most crashes are blamed on reckless driving, poorly maintained roads and aging vehicles.