Hero off-duty firefighter who was travelling behind Somerset school coach that overturned, leaving one pupil dead and 21 hurt, was able to save others by immediately freeing children
The horrific crash happened around 3pm on Thursday on the A396 near Wheddon Cross.
The 70-seater bus was carrying pupils from Minehead Middle School, believed to be aged nine and ten, following an end-of-term trip to Exmoor Zoo.
Emergency services rushed to the remote rural location, where one child was pronounced dead at the scene, while 21 others were taken to hospital with various injuries.
During a press conference yesterday evening, it emerged that an off-duty firefighter who was travelling behind the coach was able to start freeing passengers immediately.
Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington of Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the fatality: '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 we are in contact with.
'A specially-trained officer will be providing them with support.'
Minehead Middle School had listed the zoo visit on its website as part of its 'Enrichment Week' activities for Year Five pupils.
An eyewitness said the coach had gone off a steep slope by the A396 Cutcombe Hill between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe.
The resident, who asked not 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.'
Gavin Ellis of Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service told the press conference: 'We were mobilised to a major incident of a coach that had overturned onto its roof and slid approximately 20ft down the embankment.
'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.'
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said there were 'no adequate words to acknowledge the death of a child'.
'A heartbreaking update on the school bus crash in Somerset,' he wrote 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.
'Thank you to the emergency workers who are responding at pace - I'm being kept up to date on this situation.'
The update on Thursday evening came after the force confirmed there had been a 'number of casualties' and declared a major incident.
Police said the majority of the passengers had been safely taken off the bus and transported to a nearby rest centre.
Others were left trapped on the bus and had to be rescued by fire crews and paramedics.
One of the air ambulances that attended was seen landing at the Bristol Royal Infirmary, which is home to the West's major trauma centres, BBC News reported.
Avon and Somerset Police said: 'A major incident has been declared as emergency services work together to respond to a collision involving a coach on the A396 this afternoon.
'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 road remains closed. We'd please ask people avoid the area so emergency services' response to this incident is not impacted.'
Minehead Middle School caters for pupils aged between nine and 14, and is five days away from the end of term.
A spokesperson for Beacon Education MAT - the trust that the school is part of - said it was supporting families and staff at this 'very difficult time'.
They added: '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.'
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.'
South West Ambulance Service said: 'Along with other emergency services, we're attending a road traffic collision involving a coach near Minehead.
'People travelling in the area are advised to avoid the A396 between Wheddon Cross and Dunster and find an alternative route.'
Rachel Gilmour MP said: 'I have heard news about a distressing road traffic incident around Wheddon Cross this afternoon.
'Emergency services are present, so please give them space to work. My thoughts are with all involved in the incident.
'I advise everyone travelling across Exmoor this afternoon/evening to check their route before beginning their journey.'
Three air ambulances, including Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Devon Air Ambulance, the HM Coastguard and a police helicopter are all on the scene.
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