Major incident declared as school bus carrying 60 kids crashes after leaving road
A major incident has been declared after a bus carrying kids back to school following a day trip crashed after leaving the road. There were between 60 and 70 people on board the coach at the time. incident.
A huge emergency response has now been triggered after the coach crashed while taking youngsters back to Minehead Middle School in Somerset.
An air ambulance, ten police cars, ambulances and fire engines all reportedly rushed to the scene near Wheddon Cross in Somerset. Three air ambulances, a HM Coastguard and a police helicopter are all on the scene - the A396, near Timbercombe.
Avon and Somerset Police revealed the force was alerted about the collision at around 3pm on Thursday. While most of the passengers have been taken off the bus, according to police, the fire service are "working to free the remaining occupants".
The Mirror reports an Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: "We understand the coach was carrying approximately 60-70 people and was heading to Minehead Middle School at the time.
"We can confirm a number of casualties have been conveyed to hospital. The large majority of passengers have been taken to a rest centre in Wheddon Cross and we are working with the school to help them return at the earliest opportunity.
"Officers are at the school to help with that process, and we would ask any parents to please head there." Minehead Middle School caters for pupils aged between nine and 14, and is five days away from the end of term.
The A396 remains closed and police asked people to avoid the area. Peter Prior-Sankey, director of local coach operator Ridlers, said: "We were made aware of an incident involving one of our 70-seater vehicles.
"At about 3.15pm this afternoon, understood to have taken place as a group of school pupils were returning from a day trip. We have since been liaising with both the school and the emergency services while we try to understand the extent of the incident.
"Everyone within the Ridlers team is of course deeply concerned and anxious to find out more detail, particularly concerning the welfare of the driver and passengers.
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"While we wait for further information from police and other emergency teams, our hearts of course go out to the school pupils and to our driver. We will be doing everything possible to understand what has happened."
In a post on X, Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, said: 'I have heard news about a distressing road traffic incident around Wheddon Cross this afternoon.
"Emergency services are present, so please give them space to work. My thoughts are with all involved in the incident." The Transport Secretary said she was being kept updated on the crash.
In a post on X, Heidi Alexander said: "I'm aware of the serious incident involving a bus near Minehead, Somerset. My thoughts are with all those involved. The emergency services are on scene, and I am receiving regular updates on the situation."
It is not currently clear how many students were on board the coach at the. time, or how many people have been injured following the collision.
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The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Child who died in school coach crash was 10-year-old boy, police say
The child who died in a school coach crash in Somerset was a 10-year-old boy, police have said. Six children and three adults remain in hospital after a school bus left the A396 at Cutcombe Hill near Minehead and slid down a 20ft slope on Thursday afternoon. The vehicle had been returning to Minehead Middle School from a trip to Exmoor Zoo with 60 to 70 pupils and staff on board when the incident occurred. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed on Friday that a 10-year-old boy had died in the crash. Formal identification has not yet been completed, but specially trained officers are supporting his next of kin. Two children were taken to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children by air ambulance following the incident, while four other children and three adults remain in hospital in Somerset, a police spokesperson said. The crash happened on the A396 at Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe, at about 3.15pm on Thursday. The vehicle left the road, overturned and came to rest about 20ft (six metres) from the roadway, down a steep slope. An off-duty firefighter travelling behind the coach was able to start freeing passengers immediately. Recovery of the vehicle and collision investigation are complex, and police expect the road to remain closed for a considerable time. Minehead Middle School, which caters for pupils aged between nine and 14, and is five days away from the end of term, remained closed on Friday. On Friday, a stream of people came to the school to pay respects, leaving floral tributes and messages at the gates. Many were visibly upset and could be seen hugging and supporting each other. The driver of the coach is reported to be in a stable condition but has suffered 'a number of injuries'. In a statement, Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington said: 'On behalf of the emergency services, I would like to thank the 24 volunteers from Exmoor Search and Rescue who carried out first aid triage at the rest centre and have rope and search skills. 'I also pass on thanks to the staff of the Rest and Be Thankful pub at Wheddon Cross, which opened its doors as the rest centre. 'Of course, we also recognise the efforts of Minehead Middle School, for keeping parents and carers informed and providing support to the school community during what is a difficult and distressing time for them all.' Mr Edgington appealed for witnesses or those with dashcam footage of the incident to come forward. He also asked for people to avoid speculating about the circumstances of the crash on social media, to prevent further distress to the children, their families, school staff and the driver. He added: 'Our thoughts go out to all those involved, their families, friends and colleagues.' Dozens of bouquets of flowers, balloons, and messages have been left at the school. One said: ' Thinking of everyone at this heartbreaking and devastating time. 'Our community is holding you all tight and surrounding you with love.' Another said: 'We are truly heartbroken to hear of the tragic events affecting the pupils, staff and families of Minehead Middle School. 'Our thoughts are with every member of the community, and we hold you all in our hearts during this time of unimaginable grief.' One of the school's teachers posted on Facebook: 'My amazing students, I couldn't be prouder of all of you, how incredibly brave you have been. 'You have looked after each other in what was a life-changing event, we will get through this together. 'I feel so lucky to be your teacher. I am so grateful to my wonderful colleagues during this time who were also fighting to help as many people as we could. 'My deepest condolences to all parents, carers, family and friends involved. 'Finally, thank you to the emergency services who have saved many lives and to the brilliant public who went out of their way to look after myself and most importantly the wonderful students of Minehead Middle School.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said in a post on X: 'There are no adequate words to acknowledge the death of a child. All my thoughts are with their parents, family and friends, and all those affected.' Speaking to the PA news agency outside the school gates, the Rev Philip Butcher, the vicar of Minehead, said the community was in shock. 'It was absolutely numbing, there are no words to describe what happened yesterday,' he said. 'It's an absolute tragedy, and one that's still very much unfolding. 'We're just standing firm with the school, with the families at this time, just to be with them in this time as a point of support.'
Sky News
2 hours ago
- Sky News
Child who died in Minehead school coach crash was 10-year-old boy, police say
The child who died in a school coach crash in Somerset on Thursday was a 10-year-old boy, Avon and Somerset Police have said. A specially trained officer is supporting the child's family, the force said, adding that two children taken to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children by air ambulance remain there as of Friday. Four children and three adults also remain in hospital in Somerset. There were between 60 to 70 people on board when the incident happened near Minehead, just before 3pm on Thursday. The coach was heading to Minehead Middle School when it crashed on the A396 between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe. Police said that 21 people were taken to hospital, including two children who were taken via air ambulance. Gavin Ellis, chief fire officer for Devon and Somerset, said the coach "overturned onto its roof and slid approximately 20ft down an embankment". Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, said the road where it happened is "very difficult to manoeuvre". "You have a very difficult crossing at Wheddon Cross, and as you come out to dip down into Timbercombe, the road is really windy and there are very steep dips on either side," she told Sky's Anna Botting.
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
Tributes paid to victims of ‘devastating' fatal school coach crash
Tributes have been paid to the victims of a 'heartbreaking and devastating' crash after a school coach trip returning from Exmoor Zoo slid down a 20ft slope in Somerset. One child died and 21 staff members and pupils from Minehead Middle School were injured after their vehicle left the A396 at Cutcombe Hill on Thursday afternoon. The coach had been travelling back to the school from the Devon zoo with 60 to 70 passengers on board when the incident occurred, leaving some suffering serious injuries. A stream of people came to the school gates on Friday morning to leave floral tributes to the victims of the crash, with many leaving messages of condolence. One message said: ' Thinking of everyone at this heartbreaking and devastating time. 'Our community is holding you all tight and surrounding you with love.' Another said: 'We are truly heartbroken to hear of the tragic events affecting the pupils, staff and families of Minehead Middle School. 'Our thoughts are with every member of the community, and we hold you all in our hearts during this time of unimaginable grief.' Many of the people paying their respects could be seen crying and hugging each other as they left their tributes. The driver of the coach is reported to be in a stable condition but has suffered 'a number of injuries'. Minehead Middle School, which caters for pupils aged between nine and 14, and is five days away from the end of term, remained closed on Friday. One of the school's teachers posted on Facebook: 'My amazing students, I couldn't be prouder of all of you, how incredibly brave you have been. 'You have looked after each other in what was a life-changing event, we will get through this together. 'I feel so lucky to be your teacher. I am so grateful to my wonderful colleagues during this time who were also fighting to help as many people as we could. 'My deepest condolences to all parents, carers, family and friends involved. 'Finally, thank you to the emergency services who have saved many lives and to the brilliant public who went out of their way to look after myself and most importantly the wonderful students of Minehead Middle School.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said in a post on X: 'There are no adequate words to acknowledge the death of a child. All my thoughts are with their parents, family and friends, and all those affected.' Speaking to the PA news agency outside the school gates, the Rev Philip Butcher, the vicar of Minehead, said the community was in shock. 'It was absolutely numbing, there are no words to describe what happened yesterday,' he said. 'It's an absolute tragedy, and one that's still very much unfolding. We're just standing firm with the school, with the families at this time, just to be with them in this time as a point of support. He added: 'This happened yesterday afternoon, and the horror of it came to light during the evening. 'This is a big, big, big tragedy, and it will affect people for a long time to come. I know this community is so strong that it will be here in all its forms to support everybody fully as far as they need.' In a post on Facebook, a spokesperson for Exmoor Zoo said: 'We cannot believe that fate has been so cruel to such a lovely, lively well-behaved group of children from Minehead Middle School on their way home with their coach. 'All our thoughts, blessings and prayers go out to everybody involved, we cannot comprehend what the children, their families, teachers and emergency crews are all going through now.' Councillor Bill Revans, the leader of Somerset Council, said he joined with the community in mourning. 'On behalf of the council, I extend our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and anyone else who has been affected by this devastating event, as well as offering my prayers to anyone who has been injured for their recovery,' he said. He also called for people to avoid speculation on the cause of the crash while investigations into the incident continue. The crash happened on the A396 at Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe, at about 3.15pm on Thursday, police said. An off-duty firefighter travelling behind the coach was able to start freeing passengers immediately. During a press conference on Thursday evening, Gavin Ellis, of Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, said: 'I'm grateful to the off-duty firefighter who was travelling behind the coach at the point of the crash, who was able to start making immediate effect to release those casualties from the bus.' He added: 'We were mobilised to a major incident of a coach that had overturned on to its roof and slid approximately 20ft down the embankment. 'This was a very complex and technically difficult incident for our crews to deal with, and I'm grateful for the tireless effort and actions of the crews in doing everything they could for those who were trapped and as quickly and as safely as possible.' On Thursday, Beacon Education Multi-Academy Trust, which runs the school, said: 'It is with deep sadness and heartbreak that we confirm that a pupil from Minehead Middle School has tragically died following a road traffic incident earlier today involving a coach carrying pupils and staff returning from an educational visit. 'A number of other people have been taken to hospital, some of them with serious injuries. This includes two children who were taken to hospital by air ambulance.' The trust said its thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those affected and the 'entire school community are devastated by this news'. Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, said the incident was 'tragic' and she is 'heartbroken for the parents and the school and the wider family'. Asked about the area, Ms Gilmour told BBC Breakfast: 'It's a very difficult road, very, very steep, very windy, and it's just the nature of rural roads in my constituency.'
