Coach carrying dozens of school children crashes in Somerset
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the worldSign up to our free Morning Headlines emailSign up to our free Morning Headlines emailA child has died after a school coach carrying children and staff home from an end of term trip flipped onto its roof and slid down a 20ft bank in Somerset.The 70-seater vehicle was taking pupils back to Minehead Middle School after a day trip when the incident happened on the A396 at Cutcombe Hill on Thursday afternoon. One child died at the scene while two more were airlifted to hospital, Avon and Somerset Police said. A further 19 people were also taken to hospital.Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington said: “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. “The formal identification process will need to be carried out but our thoughts and sympathies are with their family, who we are contact with.”Fire officials described the rescue operation as incredibly complex, adding they had needed to cut some children out of the vehicle. Police near the scene of a bus crash on the A396 Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe, near Minehead (Ben Birchall/PA Wire)Sir Keir Starmer, in a post on X on Thursday evening, said: “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.”Minehead Middle School caters for pupils aged between nine and 14, and is five days away from the end of term.Rachel Gilmour, the MP for Tiverton and Minehead, herself a mother of four, stifled tears as she told Sky News: “I don’t have words, to be honest. It’s a day I wish I did not have to comment on.” She added that Minehead school had been “making my heart sing” as it blossomed into a successful school. “The children were full of confidence, they were happy, they were secure, and ... I cannot imagine how those parents are now feeling”. Beacon Education Multi-Academy Trust, which runs the school, said: “We are working closely with the emergency services and relevant authorities following an incident this afternoon to support our pupils, families, and staff at this very difficult time.“We will update our school community further as soon as more information becomes available, and we kindly ask for your patience and understanding as we manage this evolving situation with care and sensitivity.”A statement by the Avon and Somerset force 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.”The A396 remains closed and officers asked for people to avoid the area.The coach had been bringing children back from a daytrip, its operator has said.An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: “Calls came in at about 3pm reporting a bus had left the road near the junction with Ashwell Lane and Steart Lane.“Most of the passengers have been taken off the bus. Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service are working to free the remaining occupants and South Western Ambulance Service are also on the scene.“We have no confirmed information on the number of casualties or the level of injuries.”Transport secretary 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.”
