A coach driver has been convicted of causing the deaths of three men in a motorway horror crash - as dramatic footage emerges of the moment tragedy struck.

Alan Peters, 78, from Valley Drive, Gravesend, crashed the Travelmasters double decker coach, full of university cheerleaders, into the back of a stationary Audi that had its hazards lights on after stopping on the M1 in Bedfordshire.

Today, Peters was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

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The men who died were Audi driver Allan Evans, 59, from Islington, and back seat passengers Nathan Reeves, 23, and 20-year-old Tom Aldridge, both from Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire.

The passengers’ friend Jake Dorling, who was in the front passenger seat, suffered a fractured skull, fractured hips and four fractured ribs.

Mr Dorling and the victim's families have since spoken of the devastating impact of the crash on their lives, and pleaded with drivers to take care on the roads.

VIDEO: The moment the coach crashed (warning: distressing footage)

Judge Richard Foster granted Peters bail while reports were prepared. He has been banned from driving.

He said it was a "tragic case", adding: "I make it clear that a custodial sentence is certain."

Judge Foster adjourned sentence until December.

VIDEO: Victims' families describe the devastating effect of the crash

During the trial, Peters turned and faced the families of the victims at Luton Crown Court and said: “I wish to express my deepest sympathy to the relatives of the deceased.

“A dreadful thing happened. My wife died four years ago from motor neurone disease and I know first hand what real tragedy means. This is something that is going to live with us a long time. To Jake Dorling I say I understand the pain of your injuries and the disruption to your life while you while you are recovering.

“I deeply the regret the incident took place and I would do anything to rewrite history.”

Prosecutor Peter Shaw earlier told the jury that Mr Evans had stopped the Audi on the hard shoulder when an oil light came on.

On the day of the crash, motorway signs indicated the hard shoulder should be used for emergency use only. But Peters said: “My belief is that from junction 10 onwards the overhead gantry signs were displaying ‘Congestion use hard shoulder and 60 miles per hour’ signs. That is why I was on the hard shoulder.

“My recollection is that there were a number of signs from junction 10 repeatedly saying ‘Congestion use hard shoulder’.”

He said he started driving coaches in 2000, having previously worked in banking and property management.

The coach had 62 passengers and was travelling on the northbound M1 on its way to Birmingham to take the cheerleaders to a convention in February last year.

Asked by Nigel Lickley QC, defending, how he felt after the impact Peters said: “A mixture of emotions – horrified, sick, frightened.

“At the scene I was given to understand two people had died. At the police station it transpired it was three.

“I was interviewed at Kempston police station. I was mentally drained. Just horrified that the whole thing had happened.”

Peters pleaded guilty to causing three deaths by careless driving, but always denied causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury to Jake Dorling.