Minehead coach crash latest: One child dead after school coach overturned – as 21 passengers taken to hospital
Key points
- A 70-seater school coach has crashed near Minehead, SomersetOne child confirmed dead as 21 passengers taken to hospitalPM says update is ‘heartbreaking’Coach overturned and slid around 20ft down an embankmentLocal MP says road ‘very difficult to manoeuvre’Dan Whitehead: Sombre press conference brought news we feared
22:02:01 ‘I don’t have words’: Local MP says road ‘very difficult to manoeuvre’
Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, has said the road where the coach crashed is “very difficult to manoeuvre”.
Speaking to chief presenter Anna Botting, Gilmour described the area as being a “very tight community” and said she visited Minehead Middle School recently.
“I met the children and they were full of joy, enthusiasm and were very positive, I know many of their parents,” she said.
“I don’t have words.”
Describing the scene, Gilmour said “it is a very, very difficult road”.
“You have a very difficult crossing at Wheddon Cross, and as you come out to dip down into Timbercombe, the road is really windy and there are very steep dips on either side.
“If the coach, as the police are saying, went 20ft off the road, you are literally on a really, really steep bank.”
Although her constituency is partly in Devon and partly in Somerset, Gilmour explained that there is a “really, really close community”.
“We will pull together, but it would be crass of me to say to a parent who’s just lost their child that I could make things better, I can’t.
“All I can say is that from one mother to another, I feel your pain.”
You can watch the full interview in the video below.
21:45:01 ‘A quiet, sombre press conference brought the news we had feared’
By Dan Whitehead, West of England correspondent
It was the news we had feared.
A quiet, sombre press conference brought the sad confirmation from police that a child – returning from a school trip – has died after the coach carrying up to 70 people overturned.
Emergency services described the scene of the crash as “incredibly challenging” and “technically difficult” – we know that fire teams had to work to cut out passengers trapped.
It was remarkable that following the coach was an off-duty fire officer, who could immediately begin to free those onboard – this may have been crucial in preventing more severe injuries or deaths.
Police described this as a “truly tragic” day – and one that comes just a few days before the start of the summer holidays.
21:32:02 ‘No adequate words’: Starmer says coach crash update is ‘heartbreaking’
Sir Keir Starmer has described this evening’s update on the coach crash as “heartbreaking”.
“There are no adequate words to acknowledge the death of a child,” he says.
“All my thoughts are with their parents, family and friends, and all those affected.”
Starmer also thanks the emergency services, who he says are “responding at pace”, adding he’s being kept up to date on the situation.
21:02:12 Child dies after coach crash, police say
We’re hearing from the local police, fire and ambulance services after the coach crash near Minehead this afternoon.
Avon and Somerset Police Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington says emergency services were called shortly before 3pm.
Approximately 60-70 people were on board at the time.
One child has died after the crash, he says, with two children taken to hospital by air ambulance.
A total of 21 passengers have been taken to hospital by land and air.
“An investigation into the cause of this incident will be carried out,” he adds.
“This has been an incredibly challenging scene for all emergency services… today’s events are truly tragic.”
Wayne Darch, deputy director of operations at South Western Ambulance Service says “I would like to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you to our colleagues and our partners who have responded to this incident”.
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.
“I’m extremely proud of the efforts that my firefighters took today at this tragic event,” Gavin Ellis says.
He explains that the coach “overturned onto its roof and slid approximately 20ft down an embankment”.
Eight fire engines were sent to the scene, with two specialist rescue appliances and around 60 personnel.
20:55:01 Police to give statement shortly
We expect to hear from police in around five minutes after a 70-seater school coach crashed near Minehead.
You can watch along in the stream at the top of this page. We’ll also be posting live text updates.
20:49:01 Emergency services respond to crash
We’ve just received these pictures showing emergency services near the scene of the crash.
Avon and Somerset Police said “a number of casualties” have been taken to hospital (see 19.03 post).
20:40:01 Trust working to manage ‘evolving situation’
We’ve just heard from Beacon Education Multi-Academy Trust, which Minehead Middle School is part of.
“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,” it said in a statement.
“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.”
20:31:01 ‘It’s horrendous’: Local says coach ‘has gone down the slope’
A resident who lives near the site of the crash has said described the incident as “horrendous”.
“The coach has gone down the slope,” the person, who did not wish to be named, told the PA news agency.
“It’s pretty steep around here and it’s a big coach. There are no barriers along there or anything.”
The local said they “can’t believe it happened” and said it is “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.”
20:25:39 Police to give statement around 9pm
We expect police to give a statement at around 9pm this evening after the crash near Minehead.
You can follow updates from the news conference on this live page.
20:20:07 Education Secretary ‘shocked and saddened’ by crash
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has said she is “shocked and saddened” to hear of the crash.
“I would like to thank the emergency services for their continuing work in these challenging circumstances and my department stands ready to support the school community,” she wrote in a post on X.
A number of casualties have been taken to hospital after the 70-seater bus was involved in a collision on the A396 Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe.
It was taking pupils back to Minehead Middle School when the incident happened, PA news agency reports.