BREAKING NEWS One child dead after school bus crash

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

One child has died after a bus bringing school students back from a day trip came off the road in a horrific crash.
Emergency services, including five helicopters, rushed to the scene on the A396 in Somerset to free passengers who had become trapped inside the bus.
The 70-seater vehicle was taking pupils back to Minehead Middle School when the smash happened at around 3pm today.
The update this evening comes after the force confirmed there had been a 'number of casualties' and declared a major incident.
It is thought the children involved are aged nine and ten and that they were coming back from a trip to Exmoor Zoo.
On its website, Minehead Middle School said its year five pupils were due to visit the zoo today as part of its 'Enrichment Week' activities.
One eyewitness said the coach had gone off a steep slope by the A396 Cutcombe Hill between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe at around 3pm today.
Police said the majority of the passengers were 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 has reported.
A person resident who lives near the crash scene has described the incident as 'horrendous'.
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.'
The A396 Cutcombe Hill is a winding rural road in the heart of Exmoor National Park.
It is unclear exactly where the bus left the road but emergency service vehicles were seen parked in the village of Wheddon Cross.
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.
Police said this evening there have been a 'number of casualties' and declared a major incident
'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.'
A spokesperson for Beacon Education MAT - the trust that Minehead Middle 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.