A CHILD has died and two are in a serious condition after a bus carrying students back from a trip crashed on a country road.
A total of 21 casualties were transported to the hospital via land and air services after the unfortunate incident. The crash occurred when the coach veered off the A396 between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe in Somerset shortly before 3pm today.
Emergency crews worked tirelessly to rescue trapped passengers but, tragically, one student lost their life in the crash.
Additionally, two individuals sustained serious injuries due to the mishap, which involved a coach loaded with pupils from Minehead Middle School leaving the roadway.
It is thought that the year five pupils had been on the bus as they were returning from a trip to Exmoor Zoo in nearby Devon.
The Minehead Middle School website indicates that students in that year group (aged nine to 10) were scheduled to visit the zoo as part of the school’s “Enrichment Week” activities.
Three helicopters, deployed by Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Devon Air Ambulance, joined police air crews at the scene this afternoon.
Some casualties were then taken by air ambulance to hospital in Bristol, the BBC reported.
In a press conference outside Minehead Middle School this evening, cops confirmed that they were called at 2.58pm to the “very complex and technically difficult scene”.
Parents – who had been summoned to the school by police – were seen visibly upset as they waited outside the building.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service’s chief fire officer explained how an off-duty firefighter was travelling behind the coach at the time of the crash, and was able to offer assistance.
Police confirmed that 21 casualties had been rushed to hospital, although the “large majority of passengers” were taken to a rest centre in Wheddon Cross.
Police statement this evening in full
Superintendent Mark Edgington from Somerset Police said: “Shortly before 3pm this afternoon, emergency services were called to a collision involving a coach on the A396 at Cutcombe Hill in Exmoor.
“Approximately 60 to 70 people were believed to be on board at the time, a major incident was declared with police, fire and ambulance services dispatching crews to the scene.
“The coach was carrying a number of adults and children to Minehead Middle School when it overturned.
“We can confirm tonight that one child has sadly died.
“A formal identification process will need to be carried out, but our thoughts and sympathies are with their family, who are in contact with we were in contact with at this time, and specially trained officers are with them to provide support.
“A number of other people have presented, or been taken to hospital, some with serious injuries.
“This includes two children who were taken to hospital by air ambulance.
“Many passengers either sustained minor injuries or were physically unharmed and were transferred to a rest centre.
“Work to help them return to Minehead has been taking place throughout the evening.
“An investigation into the cause of this incident will be carried out, and we please ask any witnesses to please call 101.
“We would please ask people to avoid speculation around the circumstances at this time, out of respect for the families, staff and the driver that will all be deeply affected by this collision, as it is only and is only likely to add to their distress.
“This has been an incredibly challenging scene for all emergency services, and we are grateful for people’s patience while we have worked together to rescue, treat and support those involved.
“Today’s events are truly tragic.
“We know the whole community and the wider area will be utterly devastated to learn of this news. Our officers will do all they can to help support the community in the days that followed. Thank you.”
Officials say the coach came off the remote rural road and slid at least 20ft down a bank, having overturned onto its roof.
Gavin Ellis, Chief Fire Officer for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, says: “We were mobilised to a major incident to a coach that had overturned onto its roof and slip approximately 20ft (6.1m) down an embankment.
“Our crews carried out a number of extrications and rescues in extremely difficult circumstances, and he also supported our ambulance colleagues with casualty treatment.
“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 as quickly as safely as possible.”
Eight fire engines, two specialist rescue appliances and around 60 firefighters were deployed to the scene.
South Western Ambulance Service deployed 20 double crewed ambulances, three air ambulances, a command team and two hazardous area response teams.
Cops estimate around 60 to 70 people were onboard the coach when it left the road.
A resident who lives near the site of the crash described the scene as horrendous.
The person, who did not wish to be named, said: “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.”
Locals ‘in shock’ news of bus smash spread
By Alex West
Locals in the tiny village of Wheddon Cross were “in shock” this evening as news of the nearby bus smash spread.
Local farmer Roger Weather told how he helped direct the families of those on board to a makeshift “care centre” set up by emergency services teams at the village pub, The Rest and Be Thankful Inn.
Mr Weather, in his mid 70s,said: “These poor parents were very anxious and desperately trying to find out where their children had been taken.
“It’s very rural here, so places are hard to find. I did what I could to direct people to where they needed to be.
“As a village, you just don’t expect this kind of thing to happen on your doorstep. You hear about these things happening in the media, but always somewhere else.
“Today it happened here.
“Everyone in the village in a state of complete and utter shock.“
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service’s chief fire officer says an off-duty firefighter was travelling behind the coach at the time of the crash, and was able to offer assistance.
The operator of the bus has said it was bringing children back to Minehead Middle School from a daytrip when it left the road.
Peter Prior-Sankey, director of 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 daytrip.
“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.
“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.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute to the tragic death of the child this evening, saying: “A heartbreaking update on the school bus crash in Somerset.
“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.
“Thank you to the emergency workers who are responding at pace — I’m being kept up to date on this situation.”
