Latest news with #BobbieRammond
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Somerset coach crash: Locals praised for 'amazing' response
A man who has raised £30,000 so far for victims of a fatal coach crash has said he has been "overwhelmed" by the response of the local community. Bobbie Rammond said residents had been "amazing" after a coach carrying pupils from Minehead Middle School in Somerset came off the road on 17 July, flipping onto its roof and sliding down a 20ft slope near the village of Wheddon Cross. A 10-year-old boy was killed, while two children and two adults – one of whom was the driver – remain in hospital in Bristol and community fundraisers set up in response have collectively raised more than £50,000 for the victims and their families. Minehead Middle School has reopened for the final days of term before the summer holidays – with support on hand for Rammond said that there had been a "dark cloud looming" over the area since the crash and that a strong "emotional attachment" to the local community inspired him to said he would be working with Somerset Community Foundation to help distribute the funds. Somerset Community Foundation has launched its own appeal following the crash near Wheddon Cross in said its Together for West Somerset campaign will support those experiencing psychological distress, hardship or injury as a result of the foundation's CEO, Justin Sargent, said the donations would allow it to "move really quickly" to start helping families in the coming days. The road remains closed and a police investigation into the cause of the crash is operation to remove the coach was completed on Saturday.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Minehead bus crash: Almost £40k raised for victim's families after boy, 10, dies
Three separate fundraisers have been created to help those affected by Thursday's fatal bus crash in Somerset - and people have donated more than £36,000 in total More than £36,000 has been donated to help the families of victims involved in a fatal bus crash in Somerset. A 10-year-old boy died, while six children and three adults remain in hospital after the vehicle left the A396 at Cutcombe Hill near Minehead and slid down a 20ft slope on Thursday afternoon. The bus had been carrying 60 to 70 pupils and staff from Minehead Middle School, who were returning from a trip to Exmoor Zoo days before the end of term. A resident in west Somerset organised a GoFundMe for those affected, which has raised more than £21,700 in around a day. A separate fundraiser created to give money to the school has so far raised £1,955. And a third general GoFundMe page to help both families and the school has raised £12,500 so far. Minehead bus crash UPDATES: Boy who was on bus recalls horror after child killed Bobbie Rammond, a business owner who launched the main fundraiser, said he had a "strong desire" to help after hearing about the crash. The father-of-two, who said he was not directly connected to the families affected by the crash, wrote on the fundraising page: "We are all heartbroken by the tragic school bus crash that occurred on the A396 on July 17. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the children, families, staff, and emergency responders affected by this devastating event. "As a father of two young children myself, I can only begin to imagine the pain and heartbreak that so many are experiencing right now. This tragedy has shaken the local community, and like many others, I felt a strong desire to do what I could to help. "I understand this is a sensitive time, and while the specific use of the fund will be shaped by the needs of those involved my promise is to ensure it reaches the people who need it most." Other fundraisers have also been set up for affected families, amounting to tens of thousands of pounds in total so far. The crash happened between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe, at about 3.15pm on Thursday. The vehicle left the road, overturned and came to rest about 20ft from the road, down a steep slope. An off-duty firefighter travelling behind the coach was able to start freeing passengers immediately. Recovery of the vehicle and the investigation are complex, and according to the PA news agency, the road will remain closed until the beginning of next week. A stream of people visited the school, which has pupils aged between nine and 14, on Friday to pay respects and leave tributes at the gates after the crash. The school was closed, but people left floral tributes and messages at the gates. Many were visibly upset and were hugging and supporting each other. After the incident, the school's headteacher, Laura Mackie, spoke of the "unimaginable" loss. "Just complete devastation, complete heartbreak for our whole school community," she said, trying to hold back tears. "We're thinking of the student that we lost, their family, their friends, all of their loved ones. "I'm thinking of my staff team, who are amazing, dedicated. And all of our wonderful students who have been impacted and affected by this." Speaking outside the school gates on Friday, the Rev Philip Butcher, the vicar of Minehead, said the community was in shock. He said: "It was absolutely numbing, there are no words to describe what happened yesterday. 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."
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Wellwishers raise £15,000 for Minehead school coach crash victims after boy, 10, was killed with nine still in hospital
Wellwishers have raised more than £15,000 for the families of victims involved in a fatal bus crash in Somerset. A 10-year-old boy died and six children and three adults remain in hospital after the vehicle left the A396 at Cutcombe Hill near Minehead and slid down a 20ft slope on Thursday afternoon. The bus had been carrying 60 to 70 pupils and staff from Minehead Middle School, who were returning from a trip to Exmoor Zoo days before the end of term. A resident in west Somerset has organised a GoFundMe for those affected which has raised more than £15,000 in around a day. Bobbie Rammond, a business owner, said he had a 'strong desire' to help after hearing about the crash. The father-of-two, who said he was not directly connected to the families affected by the crash, wrote on the fundraising page: 'We are all heartbroken by the tragic school bus crash that occurred on the A396 on July 17. 'Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the children, families, staff, and emergency responders affected by this devastating event. 'As a father of two young children myself, I can only begin to imagine the pain and heartbreak that so many are experiencing right now. 'This tragedy has shaken the local community, and like many others, I felt a strong desire to do what I could to help. 'I understand this is a sensitive time, and while the specific use of the fund will be shaped by the needs of those involved my promise is to ensure it reaches the people who need it most.' Other fundraisers have also been set up for affected families, amounting to tens of thousands of pounds in total so far. The crash happened between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe, at about 3.15pm on Thursday. The vehicle left the road, overturned and came to rest about 20ft from the road, down a steep slope. An off-duty firefighter travelling behind the coach was able to start freeing passengers immediately. Recovery of the vehicle and the investigation are complex, and the PA news agency understands the road will remain closed until the beginning of next week. A stream of people visited the school, which has pupils aged between nine and 14, on Friday to pay respects and leave tributes at the gates after the crash. The school was closed but people left floral tributes and messages at the gates. Many were visibly upset and were hugging and supporting each other.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
More than £12k raised for school coach crash victims
A fundraiser launched to support the families affected by a coach crash which killed a 10-year-old boy has raised more than £12,000 in 24 hours. The community in Minehead, Somerset, has been left devastated by the crash which happened on the way back from a school trip to Exmoor Zoo on Thursday. Six children remain in hospital - two at Bristol Children's Hospital and four in Somerset. Three adults are also being treated in hospital. Bobbie Rammond, a resident and small business owner in west Somerset, launched the fundraiser on Friday. In a statement, Mr Rammond said: "This tragedy has shaken the local community, and like many others, I felt a strong desire to do what I could to help." Avon and Somerset Police declared a major incident after the single-vehicle collision at Cutcombe Hill near Wheddon Cross at about 15:00 BST on Thursday. The coach, which was carrying about 70 people, flipped on to its roof and slid down a bank. Many of those on board were pupils from Minehead Middle School. Mr Rammond said the community fund would help support those directly affected by the crash. "I understand this is a sensitive time, and while the specific use of the fund will be shaped by the needs of those involved, my promise is to ensure it reaches the people who need it most," Mr Rammond said. "As a father of two young children myself, I can only begin to imagine the pain and heartbreak that so many are experiencing right now," he added. Mr Rammond said the money would be used to provide urgent help and support for those injured, hospitalised and directly impacted by the "heartbreaking" crash. He said it would also help those who needed emotional and psychological help, even if they were not physically harmed in the incident. More news stories for Somerset Listen to the latest news for Somerset Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. More on this story Boy, 10, dead as nine in hospital after coach crash Shock and sadness at Somerset bus crash school Child dies and 21 injured after school coach crash
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Somerset coach crash fundraiser reaches more than £12k
A fundraiser launched to support the families affected by a coach crash which killed a 10-year-old boy has raised more than £12,000 in 24 community in Minehead, Somerset, has been left devastated by the crash which happened on the way back from a school trip to Exmoor Zoo on Thursday. Six children remain in hospital - two at Bristol Children's Hospital and four in Somerset. Three adults are also being treated in Rammond, a resident and small business owner in west Somerset, launched the fundraiser on Friday. In a statement, Mr Rammond said: "This tragedy has shaken the local community, and like many others, I felt a strong desire to do what I could to help." Avon and Somerset Police declared a major incident after the single-vehicle collision at Cutcombe Hill near Wheddon Cross at about 15:00 BST on coach, which was carrying about 70 people, flipped on to its roof and slid down a of those on board were pupils from Minehead Middle School. Mr Rammond said the community fund would help support those directly affected by the crash. "I understand this is a sensitive time, and while the specific use of the fund will be shaped by the needs of those involved, my promise is to ensure it reaches the people who need it most," Mr Rammond said."As a father of two young children myself, I can only begin to imagine the pain and heartbreak that so many are experiencing right now," he added. Mr Rammond said the money would be used to provide urgent help and support for those injured, hospitalised and directly impacted by the "heartbreaking" said it would also help those who needed emotional and psychological help, even if they were not physically harmed in the incident.
