A survivor of a South African coach crash that killed 28 people has hit out at the "lenient" six-year jail sentence given to the driver yesterday.

Lesley Dick, from Worthing, suffered a broken collarbone, broken ribs and gashes to her face and legs when the bus plunged into a ravine in September 1999.

She was among just nine people to survive the crash. In all, 27 British tourists and their South African tour guide died.

Yesterday, the driver Titus Dube, who pleaded guilty to a charge of culpable homicide at an earlier hearing, was sentenced at Lyndenburg Regional Court. He was freed pending an appeal.

The 42-year-old had admitted putting his foot on the accelerator instead of the brake as he sped through a treacherous mountain pass at up to 73mph.

Miss Dick, 37, of Worthing, said: "I am surprised at the leniency of the sentence that has been passed. This accident cost 28 people their lives and has caused severe injuries to me and the other survivors.

"Many of us have had our lives ruined by this tragedy and in the circumstances a six-year sentence is not enough."

Terrified passengers had begged Dube to slow down as the coach hurtled along but he claimed the brakes had failed.

The impact, which tore the roof from the bus and flung the bodies of some victims into trees, was worsened because the internal structure of the roof was severely corroded.

The prosecution and defence had argued Dube should not be jailed because he had made a "simple" error.

But magistrate Dries Lamprecht told him relatives of the victims would expect him to be punished.

He said: "A crime committed intentionally is obviously more reprehensible than a crime committed negligently.

"You should therefore not be treated as harshly as a murderer would be. On the other hand human life does not come cheap.

"You unlawfully killed not one but 28 people and seriously injured eight others in the same process. One of them is still in a coma and the chances of recovery are slim.

"I think a sentence that is too lenient will ignore the demand for vengeance and do an injustice to society both locally and abroad."

Mr Lamprecht had also noted Dube's remorse following the accident, which he showed when he fell to his knees and prayed during a visit to the crash site.

But he said the jail term was necessary to help in the "healing process" for the victims' families.

Dube, a father-of-five from Johannesburg, was also banned from driving for six years.