Latest news with #MarkEdgington
Daily Record
21-07-2025
- Daily Record
Boy killed in bus crash near Minehead while returning from school trip named by cops
The bus had been carrying 60 to 70 pupils and staff from Minehead Middle School, who were returning from a trip to Exmoor Zoo days before the end of term. A 10-year-old boy who died in a bus crash while returning from a school trip to a zoo has been named by police. Oliver Price was killed when the vehicle left the A396 at Cutcombe Hill near Minehead, Somerset, and slid down a 20ft slope last Thursday, Avon and Somerset Police said. The bus had been carrying 60 to 70 pupils and staff from Minehead Middle School, who were returning from a trip to Exmoor Zoo days before the end of term. Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington said: "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 under way 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 inquiries 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." A number of children were discharged from hospital over the weekend while two children and three adults remain in hospital, the force said. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. It is understood that those still in hospital are now in a stable condition. The crash happened between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe at about 3.15pm on July 17. The vehicle left the road, overturned and came to rest about 20ft from the road, down a steep slope. An off-duty firefighter travelling behind the coach was able to start freeing passengers immediately. Avon and Somerset Police said officers from the serious collision investigation team have been examining the circumstances of the incident. The coach was recovered on Saturday and will now be subject to a detailed examination by experts. "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," a force spokesman said. "The examination of the scene has been completed, however, the road remains closed while a detailed safety inspection is carried out by Somerset Council." Following the tragedy, a stream of people visited the school, which has pupils aged between nine and 14, to pay respects and leave tributes at the gates after the crash. Many were visibly upset and were hugging and supporting each other. Online fundraisers for those affected have raised more than £25,000.
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Boy, 10, who died in Minehead school coach crash is named by police
The 10-year-old boy who died in the Minehead school coach crash has been named by police. Formal identification has now been completed and the victim was Oliver Price. Two children and three adults remain in hospital after the tragedy, while a number of children were discharged over the weekend. Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington said: '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.'
The Sun
18-07-2025
- The Sun
Child who died in tragic school trip bus crash is boy, 10, as six children remain in hospital
A CHILD who died in a school bus crash was 10 years old, with six others remaining in hospital. Emergency services were called to the scene after the coach full of pupils veered off the road at around 3pm yesterday. 12 Up to 70 people - children and adults travelling to Minehead Middle School - were understood to have been on the coach. The vehicle left the road, on the A396 at Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe. It overturned and came to rest about 20 feet (six metres) from the roadway, down a steep slope. Recovery of the vehicle and collision investigation are complex, and police expect the road to remain closed for a considerable time. Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington said: "On behalf of the emergency services, I would like to thank the 24 volunteers from Exmoor Search and Rescue who carried out first aid triage at the rest centre and have rope and search skills. "I also pass on thanks to the staff of the Rest and Be Thankful pub at Wheddon Cross, which opened its doors as the rest centre. "Of course, we also recognise the efforts of Minehead Middle School, for keeping parents and carers informed and providing support to the school community during what is a difficult and distressing time for them all." Mr Edgington appealed for witnesses to the collision to come forward. He added: "Please avoid speculating about the circumstances on social media, to prevent additional distress for the children, their families, the school community, staff and the driver, who are all deeply affected by what's happened. "Our thoughts go out to all those involved, their families, friends and colleagues." Laying flowers with his mum Kim outside his school, Jayden, who was on the bus that flipped, said he doesn't remember much. "I just remember climbing up the hill to get back on the road," he said. His mum 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. Kim phoned the school, but said they were unable to say if her son was on the bus. A friend later called the mum and said she was at the scene with Jayden. "It's just that not knowing if they're ok, if they're safe, if they got off the bus," she said. Kim said the heroic off-duty firefighter who helped passengers had a daughter on the bus. 12 12 12 It later emerged that the firefighter was travelling behind the coach and was able to start freeing passengers straight away. Kim thanked the hospital staff who gave the children "lego and teddies". But Kim said she now has to break the news of the boy's death to Jayden. "He's lost a friend." Some 21 casualties were taken to hospital by land and air after the accident. The bus driver is in hospital in a stable condition, but suffering from a number of injuries. The bus came off the A396 between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe. Emergency crews worked tirelessly to rescue trapped passengers. Gavin Ellis, Chief Fire Officer for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said: "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. "I'm grateful to the off-duty firefighter who was travelling behind the coach at the point of the collision who was able to start taking immediate [action] to start releasing those casualties from the bus." 12 12 He added: "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." Two people were left seriously injured following the crash, which saw the coach filled with pupils from Minehead Middle School leave the road. The year five pupils were returning from a trip to Exmoor Zoo in nearby Devon. 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. Minehead Middle School's website states 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. Beacon Education Multi-Academy Trust 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. 12 12 "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." Three helicopters, deployed by Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Devon Air Ambulance, joined police air crews. Some casualties were then taken by air ambulance to hospital in Bristol. Gavin Ellis, the chief fire officer for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said the coach "overturned onto its roof and slid approximately 20ft down an embankment". 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. 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. 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. 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 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. Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute after the tragic death of the child, 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: "Two children taken to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children by air ambulance following a collision on Exmoor remain in hospital. "Tragically, a 10-year-old boy died in the collision. Formal identification processes have not yet been completed, but a specially trained officer is supporting their next of kin. "Four children and three adults remain in hospital in Somerset. "Emergency services were called to the single-vehicle collision on the A396 at Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe, at 3pm on Thursday 17 July. "Up to 70 people – children and adults travelling to Minehead Middle School – were understood to have been on the coach. "Teams from Avon and Somerset Police, Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service and South Western Ambulance Service were all involved at the scene, supported by the National Police Air Service helicopter, as well as Devon Air Ambulance, and Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. "The vehicle left the road, overturned and came to rest about 20 feet (six metres) from the roadway, down a steep slope. "Recovery of the vehicle and collision investigation are complex, and we expect the road to remain closed for a considerable time. "A thorough and detailed examination of the scene is required, and the location of the vehicle makes both the investigation and the vehicle recovery more challenging."
The Guardian
18-07-2025
- The Guardian
Child dies after school coach overturns in Somerset
A child was killed when a coach carrying pupils returning from an end of term day trip to a zoo flipped on to its roof and plunged down an embankment in Somerset. Twenty-one passengers were taken to hospital by vehicles and a helicopter, some with serious injuries. Others were treated at the scene. The coach overturned on its roof and slid 6 metres (20ft) down an embankment. An off-duty firefighter was following the coach and began helping the children and adults from the vehicle. Some of the passengers were trapped in the coach and had to be freed by firefighters. Many of the children who did not need hospital treatment spent around five hours at a makeshift rest centre before being ferried back to Minehead middle school where parents gathered to pick them up. Ch Supt Mark Edgington of Avon and Somerset police said: 'Shortly before 3pm this afternoon, emergency services were called to a collision involving a coach on the A396 at Cutcombe Hill, in Exmoor. 'Approximately 60 to 70 people were believed to be onboard. A major incident was declared, with police, fire and ambulance services dispatching crews to the scene. 'A number of other people have presented or been taken to hospital, some of them with serious injuries. This includes two children who were taken to hospital by air ambulance. An investigation into the cause of the incident will be carried out.' He asked people not to speculate on the cause of the crash, saying it would add to the distress of 'the families, staff and the driver'. The prime minister said he is being kept up to date and thanked emergency workers. In a post on X, Keir Starmer said there were 'no adequate words to acknowledge the death of a child. All my thoughts are with their parents, family and friends, and all those affected.' Wayne Darch, deputy director of operations at South Western ambulance service, said it sent 46 resources to the scene. He said the child, who has not been named, died at the scene. Gavin Ellis, the chief fire officer for Devon and Somerset fire and rescue service, said it sent 60 personnel. 'Our crews carried out a number of extrications and rescues in extremely difficult circumstances,' he said. The area the crash happened in is heavily wooded and the embankment the coach went down steep. Ellis said: 'This was a very complex and technically difficult operation. 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.' The coach company Ridlers said one of its 70-seat vehicles was involved. Sign up to Headlines UK Get the day's headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion Peter Prior-Sankey, the director of Ridlers, said: 'We were made aware of an incident involving one of our 70-seater vehicles at about 3.15pm this afternoon. '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.' Roger Webber, a farmer in Wheddon Cross, told how he helped direct the families of those on board to a makeshift 'care centre' set up by emergency services teams at the village pub, The Rest and Be Thankful Inn. Some parents went there to try to find their children. Webber said: 'The poor parents were very anxious and desperately trying to find out where their children had been taken. 'It's very rural here, so places are hard to find. I did what I could to direct people to where they needed to be. 'As a village, you just don't expect this kind of thing to happen on your doorstep. You hear about these things happening in the media, but always somewhere else. 'Today it happened here. Everyone in the village in a state of complete and utter shock.' Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, said: 'My thoughts are with all those involved. I am receiving regular updates on the situation.'
Perth Now
18-07-2025
- General
- Perth Now
Child dead after school bus, zoo trip tragedy
A school bus with 70 seats that was carrying 10-year-old students returning from a zoo overturned and fell down an embankment, killing one child and injuring many more. It is understood that the bus, which was returning from Exmoor Zoo in Barnstaple, which is west of Bristol in the UK, came off a rural road near an intersection in Wheddon Cross, when it overturned and plunged around six meters down an embankment. Local reports suggest there were between 60 - 70 students on the bus, including many who became trapped in the wreckage. A large-scale emergency response was activated as local police, ambulance services and fire and rescue crews raced to the scene. Five helicopters were also deployed. Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington from Somerset Police confirmed one child had died in the tragic event. 'We can confirm tonight that one child has sadly died,' he said on Thursday. '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.' A further 21 children were taken to hospital with injuries, with the extend of those injuries not yet revealed. Gavin Ellis from Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service said crews carried out 'multiple extractions', describing the operation as 'complex'. 'We were mobilised to a major incident of a coach that had overturned onto its roof and slid approximately 20ft down the embankment,' he said on Thursday. 'Our crews carried out a number of extractions 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, 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.' UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer shared a statement after it was confirmed that a child had died. 'A heartbreaking update on the school bus crash in Somerset,' he wrote 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. 'Thank you to the emergency workers who are responding at pace - I'm being kept up to date on this situation.' Minehead Middle School had taken the year five students to Exmoor Zoo as part of its 'Enrichment Week' program.
