Tributes paid to victims of ‘devastating' fatal school coach crash
One child died and 21 staff members and pupils from Minehead Middle School were injured after their vehicle left the A396 at Cutcombe Hill on Thursday afternoon.
The coach had been travelling back to the school from the Devon zoo with 60 to 70 passengers on board when the incident occurred, leaving some suffering serious injuries.
A stream of people came to the school gates on Friday morning to leave floral tributes to the victims of the crash, with many leaving messages of condolence.
One message said: ' Thinking of everyone at this heartbreaking and devastating time.
'Our community is holding you all tight and surrounding you with love.'
Another said: 'We are truly heartbroken to hear of the tragic events affecting the pupils, staff and families of Minehead Middle School.
'Our thoughts are with every member of the community, and we hold you all in our hearts during this time of unimaginable grief.'
Many of the people paying their respects could be seen crying and hugging each other as they left their tributes.
The driver of the coach is reported to be in a stable condition but has suffered 'a number of injuries'.
Minehead Middle School, which caters for pupils aged between nine and 14, and is five days away from the end of term, remained closed on Friday.
One of the school's teachers posted on Facebook: 'My amazing students, I couldn't be prouder of all of you, how incredibly brave you have been.
'You have looked after each other in what was a life-changing event, we will get through this together.
'I feel so lucky to be your teacher. I am so grateful to my wonderful colleagues during this time who were also fighting to help as many people as we could.
'My deepest condolences to all parents, carers, family and friends involved.
'Finally, thank you to the emergency services who have saved many lives and to the brilliant public who went out of their way to look after myself and most importantly the wonderful students of Minehead Middle School.'
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said in a post 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.'
Speaking to the PA news agency outside the school gates, the Rev Philip Butcher, the vicar of Minehead, said the community was in shock.
'It was absolutely numbing, there are no words to describe what happened yesterday,' he said.
'It's an absolute tragedy, and one that's still very much unfolding. We're just standing firm with the school, with the families at this time, just to be with them in this time as a point of support.
He added: 'This happened yesterday afternoon, and the horror of it came to light during the evening.
'This is a big, big, big tragedy, and it will affect people for a long time to come. I know this community is so strong that it will be here in all its forms to support everybody fully as far as they need.'
In a post on Facebook, a spokesperson for Exmoor Zoo said: 'We cannot believe that fate has been so cruel to such a lovely, lively well-behaved group of children from Minehead Middle School on their way home with their coach.
'All our thoughts, blessings and prayers go out to everybody involved, we cannot comprehend what the children, their families, teachers and emergency crews are all going through now.'
Councillor Bill Revans, the leader of Somerset Council, said he joined with the community in mourning.
'On behalf of the council, I extend our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and anyone else who has been affected by this devastating event, as well as offering my prayers to anyone who has been injured for their recovery,' he said.
He also called for people to avoid speculation on the cause of the crash while investigations into the incident continue.
The crash happened on the A396 at Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe, at about 3.15pm on Thursday, police said.
An off-duty firefighter travelling behind the coach was able to start freeing passengers immediately.
During a press conference on Thursday evening, Gavin Ellis, of Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, said: 'I'm grateful to the off-duty firefighter who was travelling behind the coach at the point of the crash, who was able to start making immediate effect to release those casualties from the bus.'
He added: 'We were mobilised to a major incident of a coach that had overturned on to its roof and slid approximately 20ft down the embankment.
'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 and as safely as possible.'
On Thursday, Beacon Education Multi-Academy Trust, which runs the school, said: 'It is with deep sadness and heartbreak that we confirm that a pupil from Minehead Middle School has tragically died following a road traffic incident earlier today involving a coach carrying pupils and staff returning from an educational visit.
'A number of other people have been taken to hospital, some of them with serious injuries. This includes two children who were taken to hospital by air ambulance.'
The trust said its thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those affected and the 'entire school community are devastated by this news'.
Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, said the incident was 'tragic' and she is 'heartbroken for the parents and the school and the wider family'.
Asked about the area, Ms Gilmour told BBC Breakfast: 'It's a very difficult road, very, very steep, very windy, and it's just the nature of rural roads in my constituency.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
11 minutes ago
- BBC News
Anderton Boat Lift: 'Cathedral of the canals' celebrates 150 years
A landmark known as the "cathedral of the canals" has been celebrating its 150th anniversary with a Victorian by Edwin Clark in 1875, Anderton Boat Lift in Cheshire raises vessels 50ft (15m) from the River Weaver to the Trent and Mersey Canal and attracts about 100,000 visitors every pioneering structure meant goods did not have to be transferred between boats and therefore had a smoother passage between the Potteries in Staffordshire - known as a hub for ceramic production – and the port of and attraction manager Ani Sutton said it was an "amazing structure" that had enabled cargo to travel from Northwich to all around the world. The huge iron structure uses two water tanks as counterbalances to transport the boats up and down in what has been described as an "engineering masterpiece". Canal and River Trust north west director Jon Horsfall said: "Anderton Boat Lift took the canal world by storm when it formally opened to boat traffic on 26 July 1875."It was a huge success and attracted distinguished engineers, scientists and guests from all over the world to marvel at the ingenuity of its creation."Ms Sutton said it remained "absolutely a landmark" and was an ancient scheduled monument."That means it's got international recognition throughout the world," she said."There's nothing quite like Anderton Boat Lift so it's really significant to Northwich, it's really significant to the UK but also internationally." 'Spiralling costs' A Victorian fair was held over the weekend to celebrate the structure's Simon Brooks said it had a "wow factor"."I, like everyone else that works or volunteers here, am absolutely passionate about the fact that we've got a great feat of Victorian engineering that we want to preserve for future generations."Mr Horsfall said preserving it as a working monument was "increasingly a challenge" and "spiralling costs" had led to a postponement of a major planned had also been a problem with the lift gates for the last six months, he said."We are hopeful this will be sorted out by our charity's engineers very soon and the boat lift can resume its task of transporting around 3,000 boats a year between the two waterways." Regal reopening Commercial traffic on the waterways declined during the 1950s and 60s, while the use of river water as a hydraulic fluid caused major corrosion the 1980s, the lift was declared structurally unsound and was Sutton said "a wonderful group of volunteers, many who are still with us and still involved in the lift, really fought to get this open again".It was restored after more than £7m was raised to pay for repairs and began operating again in 2002, before the then Prince of Wales officially re-opened it in 2003. Read more stories from Cheshire on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC North West on X. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
11 minutes ago
- BBC News
Rochdale street wins 'alleyway of the year' for 2025
A protected alleyway has been crowned the best in its borough for the eighth year in Littleborough were recognised by Rochdale Borough Council as part of its annual Alleyways in Bloom event gives residents the chance to "share their love of gardening" by decorating the gate-protected spaces, which were installed in 2017 as part of a council scheme to reduce crime and Simpson, from Shaftesbury Avenue, said he was "delighted" to have once again impressed the judges. 'Thriving community' Shaftesbury Avenue alleyway was described by the council as "a vibrant, attractive and tranquil area" featuring seating, a fairy garden, and an "appealing archway".Mr Simpson said: "While receiving such recognition is gratifying, the value of our protected alleyway extends beyond competitions."Since the gates were installed in 2017, our community has collaborated to establish a safe and welcoming environment for all residents, both current and future."In Castleton, Barry Flynn joined with neighbours in Smalley Street to enter the competition for the third year and secured the runner-up said: "The gates have helped turn a once unused and problematic space into a thriving community garden, which we are continuing to develop and improve."We're delighted to have been chosen again as an example of how alleyways like these can be transformed into a safe haven and welcoming space that not only look great but offer a place for peace and relaxation."The sites at Shaftesbury Avenue and Smalley Street are two of more than 600 protected alleyways across the borough. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
11 minutes ago
- BBC News
Ettingshall flats to get new doors and windows in makeover
Plans have been approved for the makeover of three blocks of flats in Wolverhampton to improve their energy efficiency and Homes said the scheme, on Boydon Close, Ettingshall, would add external and cavity-wall insulation, plus new doors and homes will benefit from the improvements, partly funded by the government's Social Housing Decarbonisation of Wolverhampton planners said the scheme would "enhance the character and appearance of the buildings and area". Planning documents submitted for the scheme said that the buildings, off Ettingshall Road, dated back to the 1950s or the windows had been double-glazed with uPVC units at some point, it was unknown when and the windows were in need of replacement, they added. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
