Lastminute founder in UK hospital

Martha Lane Fox needed surgery after the accident in Morocco

Lastminute.com founder Martha Lane Fox has been flown back to the UK after being seriously injured in a car crash in Morocco.

The 30-year-old was "suffering from multiple trauma" and was moved on Tuesday at her family's request, doctor Mohammed Missoum told MAP news agency.

The crash happened on Sunday near the seaside tourist resort of Essaouira.

Lastminute.com confirmed Miss Lane Fox's return but would not comment on which hospital she might be in.

A spokesman said it was a "personal situation" but added: "She is stable."

Multiple fractures

Dr Missoum told MAP Miss Lane Fox had received "urgent treatment" in Essaouira for an "abdominal haemorrhage" before being moved to a private clinic in Morocco's capital Rabat.

It was earlier reported that she also sustained multiple fractures to her pelvis, neck and shoulders.

Dr Missoum claimed Miss Lane Fox was not wearing a seat belt when the accident happened and was apparently thrown from the car.

Miss Lane Fox co-founded Lastminute.com with Brent Hoberman in 1998.

Their entrepreneurial vision epitomised the dotcom boom of the late 1990s.

Lastminute.com rapidly became a success with its offers of cheap holiday flights and floated on the stock market in 2000.

The online retailer now operates in 13 countries with 8m registered users. It continues to sell bargain air tickets and city breaks but also "last minute" lifestyle accessories.

Miss Lane Fox quit as managing director last year but her stake in the company is valued at around £23m.