Latest news with #ExmoorZoo
Daily Mail
2 hours 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.
The Independent
a day ago
- General
- The Independent
Police confirm 10-year-old boy was killed in Somerset school bus crash
The child who died in a school bus crash in Somerset has been confirmed as a 10-year-old boy. Avon and Somerset Police said on Friday that the sole fatality in the crash was the boy, though they did not name him. They added that six more children and three adults, including the driver, remain in hospital. Between 60 and 70 people were on board the bus, which was heading back to Minehead Middle School after a day trip for Year 5 classes to Exmoor Zoo. The bus left the A396 at Cutcombe Hill near Minehead and slid down a 20ft slope on Thursday afternoon. Formal identification has not yet been completed, but specially trained officers are supporting the boy's 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 went to the school to pay respects, leaving floral tributes and messages at the gates. Dozens of bouquets of flowers, balloons, and messages have been left at the school. 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.'
Times
a day ago
- General
- Times
Minehead school bus crash: pupil who died was ten-year-old boy
A ten-year-old boy who died in a coach crash in Somerset has been described as 'so kind to everyone'. On Friday flowers were laid outside the school to which he was returning after a trip to the zoo. Twenty-one passengers were taken to hospital, some with serious injuries, when the 70-seater vehicle swerved off a country road between the villages of Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe on Exmoor on Thursday at about 3pm. The bus had been carrying pupils, aged nine and ten, back to Minehead Middle School after an end-of-term trip to Exmoor Zoo. On Friday, police confirmed that the child who died in the crash was a boy aged ten. He was named locally as Oliver. Formal identification has not yet been completed A steady stream of people, including pupils and classmates of the boy, gathered outside the school gates. One card described him as 'so kind to everyone'. It read: 'Dear Oliver, I am not really sure what to write, but we will all miss you. You were so kind to everyone and you are a very good friend and could always make me laugh with with your jokes.' Another message said: 'RIP Oliver, we sure are going to miss your infectious smile. Shine bright angel. Thinking of your family.' The coach crashed at about 3.15pm on Thursday, on a steep and winding section of the A396, which is used daily by school buses. Glass had shattered at the front of the coach. Having gone over the edge of the steep road, it had rolled onto its roof as it slid 20ft down a ravine. An off-duty firefighter travelling behind it immediately began trying to free passengers. A person who spoke to the firefighter said: 'He didn't think the guy was driving too fast. He said he just seemed to go off the road.' The Times understands the driver and about ten children were trapped in the wreckage and had to be cut out. Two children were taken to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children by air ambulance, while four children and three adults remain in hospital in Somerset. Emily Manning, ten, had a lucky escape when she was stopped from boarding the coach involved in the fatal crash because it was already full. After laying flowers with her father, Nick Manning, on Friday, she said: 'I wanted to be on the second coach because that's where my friends were but there were too many people so I got off. I felt upset because my friends were on that bus.' Manning, 48, a window cleaner, said his heart dropped when he received a phone call at work saying there had been an accident. 'It's every parent's nightmare, it's absolutely awful. I had constant messages and phone calls checking Emily was OK. People were panicking,' he said. One mother said her daughter was 'bruised battered and very traumatised' but had 'no broken bones', adding: 'She was so lucky.' SWNS Darcey Griffiths, ten, said that one moment she and her friends were talking about their visit and the next she realised she was dangling upside down. 'I remember the coach driving along. It didn't feel like anything was about to happen, but then it just rolled over,' she told The Daily Telegraph. 'I was upside down in my seat, and it was only my seatbelt keeping me in place. I didn't know what to do, but I saw a friend of mine undo her seatbelt and fall down, so I did the same.' She said she and her friends made their way along the coach's upturned ceiling until they found the door and crawled out. The South Western Ambulance Service sent 20 double-crewed ambulances, three air ambulances, a command team and two hazardous area response teams. The fire service sent eight fire engines and 60 firefighters. A police helicopter was also dispatched. Villagers in Wheddon Cross, who were nearest the crash site, opened their pub and village as a rescue hub. Isobel Wood, 26, a paralegal, was picking up a parcel in the Post Office when she saw a police cordon closing the road to Minehead and heard air ambulances overhead. 'They said a bus had gone over, and knowing the road we hoped it hadn't gone into the ravine,' she said. She raced home and told Jill Thompson, 68, her neighbour and the chairwoman of Moorland Hall. Thompson, an events manager, said the first child survivor to be reunited with his parents was grazed and terrified when he climbed out of a police car and ran into his mother's arms. 'It was devastating but everybody in the village was running down to see what they could do,' she said. We have all had children on the buses growing up, so it's hit all of us. It could have happened to our children and it's absolutely horrific. We have all been so upset.' The village hall WILL HUMPHRIES FOR THE TIMES Eric Norman, the landlord of the Rest and Be Thankful Inn, opened his doors to the emergency services. The Post Office provided tea and coffee for those in the village hall, and the pub made sure everyone was fed and watered. Wood said: 'It was the walking wounded going into the pub and the poor children were terrified. Some had blood on their clothes that very much wasn't their own, others had bandaged heads and blood coming down their faces and necks.' Peter Prior-Sankey, the director of Ridlers Coaches, said the driver was 'in a stable condition in hospital, but with a number of injuries'. The driver and school staff were described by Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington, of Avon and Somerset police, as 'deeply distressed' by the 'truly tragic' incident. A teacher from the school posted a message online to her 'amazing students', saying she 'couldn't be prouder of all of you today [and] how incredibly brave you have been'. MATTHEW HORWOOD/GETTY IMAGES 'You have looked after each in what was a life-changing event,' she wrote. 'We will get through this together. 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 today 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.''
The Independent
a day ago
- General
- 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.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
What we know as boy, 10, killed in Somerset school bus crash
A 10-year-old boy has died and several people suffered serious injuries after a coach returning from a school trip flipped onto its roof and slid down a 20ft bank in Somerset. The coach was travelling back from Exmoor Zoo to Minehead Middle School when it left the A396 at Cutcombe Hill. Staff and pupils were among 21 people taken to hospital for treatment, including several who suffered serious injuries. As investigations get underway into how the crash happened, tributes have been paid with prime minister Sir Keir Starmer saying: "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." What we know The bus, carrying 60 to 70 people, is believed to have been taking Year 5 pupils from Minehead Middle School, which caters for pupils aged between nine and 14, to Exmoor Zoo as part of its 'Enrichment Week' activities. But the bus left the A396 at Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe at about 3.15pm on Thursday, sliding 20ft down an embankment. A press conference on Thursday heard that an off-duty firefighter travelling behind the coach was able to start freeing passengers immediately. Gavin Ellis, of Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, said: 'We were mobilised to a major incident of a coach that had overturned onto 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 as safely as possible.' Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Devon Air Ambulance, the HM Coastguard and a police helicopter were all reportedly on the scene, and two children were airlifted to hospital with serious injuries. Six children and three adults remain in hospital. 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, Avon and Somerset Police said. The road remained shut overnight, Avon and Somerset Police said. Beacon Education Multi-Academy Trust, which includes Minehead Middle School among its network, 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. "Our entire school community are devastated by this news, and we will do everything we can to support everyone affected. "We are working closely with the emergency services and relevant authorities, and we will support our pupils, staff, and families at this incredibly difficult time." The school was due to be closed on Friday, the BBC reported. A resident who lives near the crash scene described the incident as 'horrendous'. The resident, who asked not to be named, told the PA news agency: 'The coach has gone down the slope. It's pretty steep around here and it's a big coach. There are no barriers along there or anything. We're used to it, you don't even notice it. 'I can't believe it happened, quite honestly, it's the biggest thing I have known to go over the slope. It's horrendous, and I'm just so sorry for all those kids on that coach.' Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, 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.' She said the crash was 'tragic' and she was 'heartbroken for the parents and the school and the wider family'. Ridlers Coaches director Peter Prior-Sankey said in a statement: 'Everyone at Ridlers is truly devastated by yesterday's tragic incident and our thoughts and prayers remain with the pupils, their families, and the school. 'Our thanks go to the incredible emergency service teams for their response, and to those across our local hospitals and community who have done so much for those impacted over the last 24 hours." He said the driver was in a stable condition but had suffered a number of injuries, and said staff at the company are being supported, while he and his team are liaising with Somerset Council. He said a decision had been made not to run any school routes into Minehead today, and that ongoing discussions will be had over the coming days concerning any other affected routes or contracts. Flowers and tributes were laid outside the school on Friday following the crash. Staff from Old Cleeve Pre-School wrote: 'Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this tragic incident.' Another said: 'Thinking of everyone at this heartbreaking and devastating time. Our community is holding you all tight and surrounding you with love.' Reverend Philip Butcher, vicar of Minehead, 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. '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.' What we don't know While many details have emerged about the crash, some remain unknown. The child who tragically died in the incident has not yet been named or identified. The severity of injuries sustained by other children has also not been revealed. Some have been described as serious, though their nature or any details have not emerged. The cause of the crash has also not yet been established. Local coach operator Ridlers, which owns the bus, said it had been liaising with the school and the emergency services and confirmed the 70-seater vehicle was travelling back from Exmoor Zoo. Click below to see the latest South West headlines
