Twin sisters from Bermuda were involved in a serious road accident in Canada the day before their 16th birthdays.

Erica and Nina Thompson were injured on Sunday when the vehicle they were travelling in was involved in a crash in Nova Scotia.

The girls were due to celebrate their birthday on Monday.

Nina was treated and released, but Erica was detained with serious back injuries.

The girl's mother, known as Lei-Valli, and Mr. Thompson, a former commodore of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, are at the bedside of the injured girl. The parents are divorced.

The accident happened near Halifax, where the girls are attending boarding school. It is believed three other people were injured in the accident, none seriously.

After the incident, which is understood to have happened close to Mount Uniacke, the victims were transferred to Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax.

Erica was detained with back injuries and was last night being treated in the hospital's intensive care unit.

The car was being driven by someone else at the time of the crash. It is understood Nina was wearing a full seat belt with Erica restrained by a lap belt. Friends in Bermuda are keeping in touch with relatives in Canada and lending support in their time of need.