A vehicle and a charter bus carrying foreign students have collided in Seattle, Washington State, leaving four people dead.

An amphibious “ride the ducks” vehicle, a type used for tours in several US cities, smashed into the side of the bus on a bridge.

The four victims were foreign students from North Seattle College and several people were critically injured.

45 students and staff members from the school’s international programmes were taking an orientation trip ahead of the school year starting on Monday.

51 people were taken to hospitals. Fire Department officials said 12 had critical injuries.

“Today, the North Seattle College community learned devastating news that four of our students were tragically killed in a vehicle accident on the Aurora Bridge”, the school said in a statement.

“Additionally, several students remain in critical condition, and other students and a North employee sustained serious injuries”, it said.