Parton mourns gospel star Rambo

Dolly Parton has paid tribute to US gospel singer Dottie Rambo, who died after her tour bus crashed.

Parton called the 74-year-old "a dear friend, a fellow entertainer, and as of late my duet singing partner".

The Nashville singer was travelling to a concert in Texas when the crash happened, which injured seven others.

Rambo wrote and published some 2,500 songs, winning gospel song of the year in 1982. She entered the Nashville Songwriters' Hall of Fame last year.

'Earth angel'

Her agent Becky Simmons called her "a giant of the recording industry", adding that Parton had made recordings of some of her songs.

The crash, which happened near Mount Vernon, saw the tour bus run off the road and hit an embankment.

It was unclear whether it was caused by severe storms and tornadoes which hit the area on Sunday.

"I know Dottie is in heaven in the arms of God right now, but our earth angel will surely be missed," added Parton in a statement.

She also sent her condolences to "everyone involved in this terrible tragedy".