Child dies in Minehead bus crash as school coach 'overturns' and skids down ravine

Police have confirmed that one child has died after a school coach carrying 60-70 children and adultscrashed this afternoon.

21 patients were taken to hospital after the crash by land and air ambulances after the coach crashed while on its way to Minehead Middle School after a day trip. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that one child has died at the scene of the crash. Fire services confirmed the coach 'overturned onto its roof and slid 20ft down a bank'.

Two children were taken to hospital via air ambulance, police confirmed in a press confernce this evening. The fire service also confirmed an off-duty fire officer was travelling behind the coach at the time of the crash and managed to jump in to start helping passengers on board the coach which had slid down a ravine in Exmoor.

Follow our blog for all the latest updates on the crash here.

In an updated statement, police confirmed that a formal identification process has yet to be carried out, but added "our thoughts and sympathies are with their family, who we are in contact with." Speaking at a press conference, Chief Superintendent Mark Edington told reporters: "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'd please ask any witnesses to 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 who will all be deeply affected by this collision, as this is likely to only add to their distress."

Gavin Ellis of Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue confirmed that the coach slid 20ft down a bank after flipping onto its roof. He added that an off-duty firefighter happened to be travelling behind the coach at the time and was able to help start freeing pasengers immediately after the accident.

“We were mobilised to a major incident of a coach that had overturned onto its roof and slid approximately 20ft down the embankment,” Mr Ellis told reporters. “Our crews carried out a number of extrications and rescues in extremely difficult circumstances, and they 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 and as quickly as safely as possible.

“I’m also grateful to the off-duty firefighter who was traveling behind the coach at the point of the crash who was able to start to release those casualties from the bus.”

A major incident was declared following the crash near Minehead with officials warning there were a number of casualties. Wayne Darch, Deputy Director of Operations for South West Ambulance Service said 20 double-crewed ambulances were sent to the scene, along with three air ambulances and other units.

Speaking to the press, he said: “We declared a major incident that has since been stood down. We sent 46 resources to the scene, including 20 double-crewed ambulances, three air ambulances, a command team and two hazardous area response teams. We treated several patients at the scene and conveyed 21 patients to hospital via land and by air.”

The trust which runs the school whose pupils were on the coach that crashed near Minehead, Somerset, has said it is working closely with the emergency services. In a statement, Beacon Education Multi-Academy Trust, which runs Minehead Middle 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.”