Berlin, Dec 30 (IANS): At least four people died and 40 were injured in a bus accident in Germany Tuesday, media reported.

The fatal accident occurred at about 10.30 a.m. on highway 4 in the eastern part of the German state of Hesse, Xinhua reported citing German media Focus Online.

After a car skidded and crashed into the tour bus with senior citizens from the German state of Baden Wuerttemberg, the bus driver lost control, got to the right of the highway and fell down a 50-metre deep embankment.

Rodemer, a police spokesman, told Focus Online that it was still unclear how many people were in the bus.

Victims with minor injuries were taken to the hospital in Bad Hersfeld, in northeastern Hesse, he said.

"In addition, five rescue helicopters are at the site to transport seriously injured people," said Rodemer.

Police have engaged a towing company to move the bus and see whether there were still people underneath the bus, said Rodemer.