Latest news with #DevonAndSomersetFireRescue
The Independent
7 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Off-duty firefighter travelling behind horrific coach crash is praised for stepping in and saving children
An off-duty firefighter who was travelling behind a Somerset school coach when it flipped and slid down a 20ft ditch has been praised for stepping in to save the lives of children. Pupils from Minehead Middle School, believed to be aged nine and ten, were on the 70-seater coach travelling back from Exmoor Zoo when it crashed on the A936 near Wheddon Cross on Thursday afternoon. One child died at the scene, while 21 others were injured. Two children were airlifted to hospital with serious injuries. During a press conference yesterday evening, it emerged that an off-duty firefighter who was travelling behind the coach was able to start freeing passengers immediately. Gavin Ellis of Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service praised the firefighter and said: 'I'm also grateful to the off-duty firefighter who was traveling behind the coach at the point of the crash who was able to start to release those casualties from the bus.' He added: 'We were mobilised to a major incident of a coach that had overturned onto its roof and slid approximately 20ft down the embankment.' 'Our crews carried out a number of extrications and rescues in extremely difficult circumstances, and they also supported our ambulance colleagues with casualty treatment,' he added. '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 as safely as possible.' A resident who lives near the site of a school coach crash near Minehead, Somerset, has described the incident as horrendous. The person, who did not wish 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.' 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.'
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
What we know as one pupil killed in Somerset school bus crash
One child has died and several people suffered serious injuries after a coach returning from a school trip crashed in Somerset. The coach was travelling back from Exmoor zoo to Minehead Middle School when it left the A396 at Cutcombe Hill and slid down a 20ft bank on Thursday. Staff and pupils were among 21 people taken to hospital for treatment, including several who suffered serious injuries. As investigations get underway into how the crash happened, tributes have been paid with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer describing the incident as "heartbreaking". What we know The bus, carrying 60 to 70 people, is believed to have been taking Year 5 pupils from Minehead Middle School, which caters for pupils aged between nine and 14, to Exmoor Zoo as part of its 'Enrichment Week' activities. But the bus left the A396 at Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe at about 3.15pm on Thursday, sliding 20ft down an embankment. A press conference on Thursday heard that an off-duty firefighter travelling behind the coach was able to start freeing passengers immediately. Gavin Ellis, of Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, said: 'We were mobilised to a major incident of a coach that had overturned onto 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 as safely as possible.' Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Devon Air Ambulance, the HM Coastguard and a police helicopter were all reportedly on the scene, and two children were airlifted to hospital with serious injuries. The road remained shut overnight, Avon and Somerset Police said. Beacon Education Multi-Academy Trust, which includes Minehead Middle School among its network, 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. "Our entire school community are devastated by this news, and we will do everything we can to support everyone affected. "We are working closely with the emergency services and relevant authorities, and we will support our pupils, staff, and families at this incredibly difficult time." The school was due to be closed on Friday, the BBC reported. A resident who lives near the crash scene described the incident as 'horrendous'. The resident, who asked not to be named, told the PA news agency: '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.' Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "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." What we don't know While many details have emerged about the crash, some remain unknown. The child who tragically died in the incident has not yet been named or identified. The severity of injuries sustained by other children has also not been revealed. Some have been described as serious, though their nature or any details have not emerged. The cause of the crash has also not yet been established. Local coach operator Ridlers, which owns the bus, said it had been liaising with the school and the emergency services and confirmed the 70-seater vehicle was travelling back from Exmoor Zoo. Click below to see the latest South West headlines
Sky News
17-07-2025
- General
- Sky News
One child dead after coach crashes in Somerset on way back from school trip
One child has died after a coach bringing children back from a school trip crashed and overturned near Minehead, Somerset, police have said. A major incident was declared after the vehicle, which had 60-70 people on board, crashed on the A396 Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe, shortly before 3pm on Thursday afternoon. The coach was heading to Minehead Middle School at the time. At a news conference on Thursday night, officials confirmed one child died at the scene. A further 21 patients were taken to hospital, including two children who were transported via air ambulance. "Several" other people were treated at the scene, they added. "This has been an incredibly challenging scene for all emergency services," Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington said. "Today's events are truly tragic, we know the whole community and wider area will be utterly devastated to learn of this news." An investigation into what caused the crash will be carried out, he added. Gavin Ellis, the chief fire officer for Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, said the coach "overturned onto its roof and slid approximately 20ft down an embankment". He praised an off-duty firefighter who was travelling behind the vehicle for helping at the scene, before crews then arrived to carry out rescues "in extremely difficult circumstances". Police said earlier that Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were working to free the remaining occupants on the coach. Peter Prior-Sankey, director of coach operator Ridlers, earlier told Sky News he "was made aware of an incident involving one of our 70-seater vehicles at about 3.15pm this afternoon". "We have since been liaising with both the school, and the emergency services, while we try to understand the extent of the incident," he said. "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." Minehead Middle School has pupils aged between nine and 14, and is five days away from the end of term. In a post on X, local MP Rachel Gilmour 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."
Sky News
17-07-2025
- General
- Sky News
Minehead bus crash latest: Passengers taken to hospital after school coach crash
Emergency services working to free pupils from crashed coach Emergency services are working to free pupils from a school coach after it crashed on the way back from a day trip near Minehead, Somerset, police have said. It is unclear how many people have been injured and how seriously. An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: "Calls came in at about 3pm reporting a bus had left the road near the junction with Ashwell Lane and Steart Lane. "Most of the passengers have been taken off the bus. "Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service are working to free the remaining occupants and South Western Ambulance Service are also on the scene. "We have no confirmed information on the number of casualties or the level of injuries."
The Independent
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Emergency services work to free bus passengers after crash
Emergency services are working to free the occupants of a bus after a crash near Minehead, Somerset, police have said. The bus was involved in a collision on the A396 Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe, on Thursday. It is unclear how many people have been injured and how seriously. An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: 'Calls came in at about 3pm reporting a bus had left the road near the junction with Ashwell Lane and Steart Lane. 'Most of the passengers have been taken off the bus. ' Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service are working to free the remaining occupants and South Western Ambulance Service are also on the scene. 'We have no confirmed information on the number of casualties or the level of injuries.' The police spokesperson said the emergency services have well-rehearsed plans for responding to such incidents and asked people to avoid the area. In a post on X, Rachel Gilmour, the MP for Tiverton and Minehead, 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.'
