Minehead school bus crash latest: One child killed and 21 injured after coach carrying pupils overturns in Somerset
The coach was travelling back to nearby Minehead Middle School with about 60 to 70 passengers on board on the A396 at Cutcombe Hill on Thursday afternoon when the incident took place.
A local resident said the coach had gone off the road and down a 20-foot slope.
Avon and Somerset Police said on Thursday evening that a child had died following the incident.
Speaking outside Bridgwater Police Centre, Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington said: '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.'
Sir Keir Starmer issued a statement on X, saying 'there are no adequate words to acknowledge the death of a child'.
In pictures: Emergency services in Somerset after crash
Tom Watling18 July 2025 05:01
Prime minister to be 'kept up to date' after child dies in school coach crash
The prime minister said he is being kept up to date after a child died when a school coach carrying children and staff home from an end of term trip slid down a 20ft bank in Somerset.
The coach was travelling back to nearby Minehead Middle School with about 60 to 70 passengers on board.21 people were taken to hospital, including several who have suffered serious injuries.
The road will stay shut overnight, Avon and Somerset Police said.Sir Keir Starmer said in a post on X: "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."
Namita Singh18 July 2025 04:30
Local MP issues full statement
Local MP Rachel Gilmour has issued a full statement following the tragic death of a child after a school bus crashed in Somerset.
You can read her full statement below.
Tom Watling18 July 2025 04:00
Dozens of ambulance vehicles attend the scene
Twenty-one people have been taken to hospital after the coach crash, the press conference was told last night.
Wayne Darch, deputy director of operations for the South Western Ambulance Service 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.'
Tom Watling18 July 2025 03:02
Starmer issues statement on 'heartbreaking' crash
Sir Keir Starmer has led tributes to the school child who was killed in a car crash yesterday in Somerset.
Tom Watling18 July 2025 01:01
Education secretary pays tribute to child killed in school bus crash
The Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, described the fatal school coach crash in Minehead as 'heartbreaking.'
'It is heartbreaking to hear that a child has died and others are seriously injured following the incident in Minehead earlier today', she said in a post on X.
'My thoughts are with their friends and families, and all those affected by this tragic event.'
Tom Watling18 July 2025 00:27
One child dead after school bus crash in Somerset
Tom Watling17 July 2025 23:56
Police confirm child died after Minehead bus crash
Tom Watling17 July 2025 23:00
Angela Rayner issues statement on Somerset crash
Tom Watling17 July 2025 22:44
Mapped: Where did the crash take place?
Below, you can see a map detailing where the crash took place.
Tom Watling17 July 2025 22:30
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