Off-duty firefighter saved children seconds after bus crash

Telegraph

4 days ago

An off-duty firefighter pulled schoolchildren from the wreckage of a fatal coach crash.
The individual, who has not been named, was travelling behind the 70-seater vehicle when it came off a country road between the villages of Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe in Somerset on Thursday at around 3pm.
The coach had been carrying pupils from Minehead Middle School, who are believed to be nine or 10 years old, back to the school following an end-of-term trip to Exmoor Zoo.
It is believed to have flipped onto its roof and slid 20ft down a bank.
The firefighter is said to have acted immediately to free the children trapped in the wreckage before fire crews and ambulances arrived.
One child, a pupil of the school, died in the crash and two were taken to hospital via air ambulance with serious injuries.
A total of 21 people – some of whom sustained minor injuries – were taken to hospital, while those who were physically unharmed were transferred to a rest centre.
Gavin Ellis of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said during a press conference on Thursday morning that he was 'grateful' to the firefighter who 'was able to start taking immediate [action] to start releasing those casualties from the bus'.
He said: '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.'
The fatality was confirmed at the press conference by Ch Supt Mark Edgington of Avon and Somerset Police.
He said: '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.'
Police attended the scene alongside 20 double-crewed ambulances, three air ambulances, a command team and two hazardous area response teams.
A source told The Times that the scene was 'carnage'. They said they saw several children brought into the nearby village with bandaged heads and dried blood down their necks, adding: 'It's so hard to see children in that state.'
A resident, who asked not to be named, described the incident as 'horrendous', saying: '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.'
Rachel Gilmour, the Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Minehead, told Sky News: 'The road is really windy and there are very steep dips on either side. If the coach went twenty feet off the road, you are on a really steep bank.'
Sir Keir Starmer described the update on the coach crash as 'heartbreaking', writing 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.'
The Prime Minister also thanked the emergency services, who he said were 'responding at pace'.
Minehead Middle School, which caters for pupils aged between nine and 14, is five days away from the end of term.
John Bonar, whose son is in the class, told The Telegraph: 'My thoughts are with all the children and all the parents. It is going to be very hard for some people. We are banding together.'
Beacon Education Multi-Academy Trust, which runs the school, said: 'We are working closely with the emergency services and relevant authorities following an incident this afternoon to support our pupils, families, and staff at this very difficult time.
'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.'
A stream of people have begun laying flowers outside the school this morning.
Staff from Old Cleeve Pre-School wrote: 'Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this tragic incident.'
Another said: 'Thinking of everyone at this heartbreaking and devastating time. Our community is holding you all tight and surrounding you with love.'
The driver of the coach is in a stable condition, the bus company's owner has said.
Peter Prior-Sankey, the director of coach operator Ridlers, said: '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.
Mr Prior-Sankey said a decision had been made not to run any school routes into Minehead today, and that ongoing discussions will be had over the coming days concerning any other affected routes or contracts.
People in Minehead have been left devastated by news of the crash, each wondering if children they know were involved.
Chrissie, a grandmother of one who runs a garden centre cafe just outside the town, told The Telegraph: 'My business neighbour's daughter is of school age and the first thing I thought yesterday on hearing about the crash was 'is it her?'
'When I saw her little girl this morning, I was so relieved. But I feel for everyone who has children at the school and I can't imagine what the parents of the child who died are going through. It's so horrible, and to think it started as a day out with all the children happy and excited.
'It just breaks your heart to think about what happened.'
Councillors and community leaders have taken to the airwaves to assure people that an investigation will be undertaken and assistance offered, both practical and emotional, to anyone who needs it.
Reverend Philip Butcher, the vicar of Minehead, said: 'It was absolutely numbing, there are no words to describe what happened yesterday.
'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.
Rev Butcher said everyone in the community was 'very, very shocked' by what had happened.
'This happened yesterday afternoon, and the horror of it came to light during the evening,' he said.
'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.'