Child, 13, drove pickup in deadly Texas crash that killed nine

PO1 Tony Holland
"A 13-year-old was behind the wheel of a pickup truck that slammed head on into a van carrying university athletes in a collision that killed nine on Tuesday.

In a Thursday news conference, federal investigators said the truck's left tyre - which was a spare - blew out before swerving into the oncoming van.

Six university golfers, including one from Portugal and one from Mexico, and their coach died in the crash.

Both the young pickup driver and his passenger were also killed.

Two students, both from Canada, survived the collision and are in a stable condition but still in hospital.

Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt Victor Taylor told the Associated Press news agency that it would be illegal for a 13-year-old to be driving in the state. Children are allowed to begin classroom driving lessons at the age of 14 in Texas, and must be 15 before they can start driving with an instructor or licensed adult in the car."...