Boy, 10, killed when bus overturned & slid down 20ft bank on way back from school trip is named
Tributes have poured in for 10-year-old Oliver Price, who died after the coach veered off the road on Thursday.
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The coach left the A396 at Cutcombe Hill near Minehead and slid down a 20ft slope on Thursday afternoon last week.
It had been returning to Minehead Middle School from a trip to Exmoor Zoo with 60 to 70 pupils and staff on board when the tragedy took place.
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed this afternoon 10-year-old Oliver Price died in the crash.
Two children and one adult are still in hospital in Bristol and two adults are in hospital in Somerset.
A number of children were discharged over the weekend.
The crash happened on the A396 at Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe, at about 3.15pm on Thursday.
The vehicle left the road, overturned and came to rest about 20ft from the roadway, down a steep slope.
An off-duty firefighter travelling behind the coach was able to start freeing passengers immediately.
The bus driver is understood to be in hospital in a stable condition, but suffering from a number of injuries.
Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington said today: 'Our thoughts are first and foremost with Oliver's family at what must be an unimaginably difficult time. We will continue to make sure they're updated.
'Our investigation is now well underway with officers working tirelessly to find out what caused it. This work is likely to take some time and we're asking for patience while these enquiries take place.
'Over the last few days we have been working closely with our partner agencies and the school to ensure support is in place for anyone who might need it.
'We are extremely grateful for all the support that's been received locally. This clearly shows how special and close-knit this community is.
'I would like to also thank all the emergency services and voluntary groups who responded for their support as well as everyone in our hospitals who continue to help those who were injured.'
Minehead Middle School's website stated that pupils in that year group (aged nine to 10) were due to visit the zoo as part of the school's "Enrichment Week" activities.
Three helicopters, deployed by Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Devon Air Ambulance, joined police air crews on the day of the horror.
Some casualties were then taken by air ambulance to hospital in Bristol.
In a press conference outside Minehead Middle School, cops confirmed that they were called at 2.58pm to the "very complex and technically difficult scene".
Parents - who had been summoned to the school by police - were seen visibly upset as they waited outside the building.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service's chief fire officer explained how an off-duty firefighter was travelling behind the coach at the time of the crash, and was able to offer assistance.
Police confirmed that 21 casualties had been rushed to hospital, although the "large majority of passengers" were taken to a rest centre in Wheddon Cross.
Officials say the coach came off the remote rural road and slid at least 20ft down a bank, having overturned onto its roof.
Gavin Ellis, Chief Fire Officer for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, says: "We were mobilised to a major incident to a coach that had overturned onto its roof and slip approximately 20ft (6.1m) down an embankment.
"Our crews carried out a number of extrications and rescues in extremely difficult circumstances, and he 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 as quickly as safely as possible."
Eight fire engines, two specialist rescue appliances and around 60 firefighters were deployed to the scene.
South Western Ambulance Service deployed 20 double crewed ambulances, three air ambulances, a command team and two hazardous area response teams.
Cops estimate around 60 to 70 people were onboard the coach when it left the road.
Lucky Emily Manning, 10, climbed on board the 70-seater after an end of term trip to the zoo but was told to get off because it was already full.
She got on the first of the two coaches instead and arrived home safely.
But the second coach veered off the road, flipped onto its roof and careered down a 20ft embankment.
Another boy, Jayden, was on the bus that flipped, but said he doesn't remember much.
"I just remember climbing up the hill to get back on the road," he said.
His mum Kim said she became frantic when Jayden didn't arrive at his gran's house at 4pm on Thursday.
"I'm just so grateful to have my baby home," she told the BBC.
Ridlers Coaches director Peter Prior-Sankey said in a statement: "Everyone at Ridlers is truly devastated by yesterday's tragic incident and our thoughts and prayers remain with the pupils, their families, and the school.
"Our thanks go to the incredible emergency service teams for their response, and to those across our local hospitals and community who have done so much for those impacted over the last 24 hours.
"I can confirm that the driver is himself in a stable condition in hospital, but with a number of injuries. We are in contact with his wife and family, and have offered ongoing support."
He added that staff at the company are being supported and he and his team are liaising with Somerset Council.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute to the tragic death of Oliver last week, saying: "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."
An Avon and Somerset spokesperson said: "Our investigation into the collision on Exmoor last week in which a 10-year-old boy tragically died is continuing this week.
"Formal identification has now been completed and we can confirm the victim was Oliver Price. Our thoughts are with his parents and family who have been updated and continue to be supported by a specially-trained officer.
"Two children and one adult are currently in hospital in Bristol and two adults are in hospital in Somerset, while a number of children were discharged over the weekend.
"Officers from our Serious Collision Investigation Team have been carrying out thorough enquiries to understand the full circumstances of the collision.
"The coach, which was transporting pupils and teachers from Minehead Middle School, left the A396 shortly before 3pm on Thursday 17 July.
"A major incident was declared and a significant emergency service response began.
"Despite their efforts, Oliver was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene. A family liaison officer will continue to keep their parents updated as our investigation progresses.
"The coach was recovered on Saturday and will now be subject to a detailed examination over the coming days by experts, as part of our usual investigative enquiries.
"Officers have also been taking statements from a number of adults who were either on the coach or were travelling in the area at the time as part of their work to establish the full circumstances of the collision.
"The examination of the scene has been completed, however the road remains closed while a detailed safety inspection is carried out by Somerset Council.
"Neighbourhood officers will be present outside the school over the coming days and anyone with any concerns is welcome to speak to them."
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