Boy, 10, killed in school coach crash was found still strapped into his seat with fatal head injuries, inquest hears

Daily Mail​

24-07-2025

A 10-year-old schoolboy killed when his school coach crashed died from a head injury - and he was discovered still strapped into his seat, a coroner has revealed.
Oliver Price was found inside the overturned 70-seater bus transporting pupils and teachers from Minehead Middle School in Somerset last Thursday.
At the opening of an inquest into Oliver's death in Wells, Somerset, this morning, a statement was read by Vanessa McKinlay, assistant coroner for Somerset.
The words on behalf of Coroner's Investigator Ben Batley told how Oliver had been pronounced dead at the scene at 5pm by paramedics and was identified to police by his father Matthew.
The crash happened between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe at about 3.15pm on July 17.
The coach left the road, overturned and came to rest about 20ft down a steep slope.
An off-duty firefighter travelling behind the vehicle was able to start freeing passengers immediately.
Ms McKinlay, opening the inquest today, said: 'Oliver was a student at Minehead Middle School and on 17th July was being taken back to Minehead by coach with a number of other children and staff.
'The coach came off the road and into a steep wooded area. Oliver was found seated with his seatbelt on. His provisional cause of death was a head injury.'
Ms McKinlay adjourned the inquest until January 14 next year when Oliver's family, the coach driver, adult passengers on the coach, eyewitnesses, police, fire service, paramedics and a pathologist will be called to give evidence.
She added: 'I'd like to close by offering my condolences to Oliver's family.'
At least 21 other pupils and staff were injured when the coach slid off the A396 in Exmoor, Somerset, at 3pm last Thursday.
The vehicle was carrying Year 5 pupils back from an end-of-year trip to Exmoor Zoo.
A major incident was declared and a significant emergency service response began.
A family liaison officer has kept Oliver's parents updated as the investigation continues.
Meanwhile, floral tributes have been left outside the child's school.
Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington said: 'Our thoughts are first and foremost with Oliver's family at what must be an unimaginably difficult time. We will continue to make sure they're updated.
'Our investigation is now well underway with officers working tirelessly to find out what caused it. This work is likely to take some time and we're asking for patience while these enquiries take place.
'Over the last few days we have been working closely with our partner agencies and the school to ensure support is in place for anyone who might need it.
'We are extremely grateful for all the support that's been received locally. This clearly shows how special and close-knit this community is.
'I would like to also thank all the emergency services and voluntary groups who responded for their support as well as everyone in our hospitals who continue to help those who were injured.'
Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, described the fatal school coach crash as 'tragic' and said she was 'heartbroken for the parents and the school and the wider family'.
She told BBC Breakfast the coach was coming from Exmoor Zoo, when it came off the road and went down a 20ft slope, adding that it was 'pretty catastrophic'.
Asked about the area, Ms Gilmour said: 'It's a very difficult road, very, very steep, very windy, and it's just the nature of rural roads in my constituency, you know, Minehead famously, only has one road that takes you into it on the A39 and if you're coming from where I live in Bampton or across the Moor, those are the roads that you have to use.'
Ms Gilmour praised the 'fabulous job' by the emergency services, adding: 'We've been told up to 20 ambulances went to the scene, three air ambulances, obviously paramedics, police, firemen, you know, just deeply grateful to our emergency services and just heartbroken for the parents and the school and the wider family.'
She said she visited Minehead Middle School recently and hailed it as a 'fantastic school' with a 'great headmistress'.
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 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.'