Latest news with #PeterPriorSankey
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Major incident declared with people in hospital after school coach crash
A major incident has been declared after a school coach crashed near Minehead, Somerset, and a number of people have been taken to hospital. The coach was carrying 60-70 passengers and was heading back to a nearby middle school after a day trip. The crash happened on the A396 Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe, at about 3.15pm on Thursday, police said. An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: 'We understand the coach was carrying approximately 60-70 people and was heading to Minehead Middle School at the time. 'We can confirm a number of casualties have been conveyed to hospital. 'The large majority of passengers have been taken to a rest centre in Wheddon Cross and we are working with the school to help them return at the earliest opportunity. 'Officers are at the school to help with that process, and we would ask any parents to please head there.' Minehead Middle School caters for pupils aged between nine and 14, and is five days away from the end of term. The A396 remains closed and police asked people to avoid the area. Peter Prior-Sankey, director of local coach operator Ridlers, said: 'We were made aware of an incident involving one of our 70-seater vehicles at about 3.15pm this afternoon, understood to have taken place as a group of school pupils were returning from a day trip. 'We have since been liaising with both the school and the emergency services while we try to understand the extent of the incident. '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.' A person resident who lives near the crash scene has 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.' In a post on X, Rachel Gilmour, 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.' The Transport Secretary said she was being kept updated on the crash. In a post on X, Heidi Alexander said: 'I'm aware of the serious incident involving a bus near Minehead, Somerset. 'My thoughts are with all those involved. 'The emergency services are on scene, and I am receiving regular updates on the situation.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Major incident declared following coach crash carrying 70 people in Somerset as passengers are rushed to hospital
A major incident has been declared in Somerset after a coach carrying 70 people including children has crashed. The coach crashed near Minehead on Thursday afternoon as it was bringing children back to Minehead Middle School from a daytrip, according to the coach operator. Peter Prior-Sankey, director of coach company Ridlers, said: 'We were made aware of an incident involving one of our 70-seater vehicles at about 3.15pm this afternoon, understood to have taken place as a group of school pupils were returning from a daytrip. READ MORE: Coldplay concert turns awkward as mortified couple 'called out' by Chris Martin READ MORE: 'My husband was attacked over beer at Oasis - we missed the entire concert' 'We have since been liaising with both the school, and the emergency services, while we try to understand the extent of the incident. '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.' The Transport Secretary has said she is being kept updated on a bus crash near Minehead in Somerset. In a post on X, Heidi Alexander said: 'I'm aware of the serious incident involving a bus near Minehead, Somerset. I'm aware of the serious incident involving a bus near Minehead, Somerset. My thoughts are with all those involved. The emergency services are on scene, and I am receiving regular updates on the situation. — Heidi Alexander MP (@Heidi_Labour) July 17, 2025 'My thoughts are with all those involved. The emergency services are on scene, and I am receiving regular updates on the situation.' An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: 'We understand the coach was carrying approximately 60-70 people and was heading to Minehead Middle School at the time. We can confirm a number of casualties have been conveyed to hospital. 'The large majority of passengers have been taken to a rest centre in Wheddon Cross and we are working with the school to help them return at the earliest opportunity. 'Officers are at the school to help with that process, and we would ask any parents to please head there.' In a post on X, Rachel Gilmour, 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.' The A396 remains closed and officers asked for people to avoid the area.
The Independent
3 days ago
- The Independent
Major incident declared and people in hospital after school coach crash
A major incident has been declared after a school coach crashed near Minehead, Somerset, and a number of people have been taken to hospital. The coach was carrying 60-70 passengers and was heading back to a nearby middle school after a day trip. The crash happened on the A396 Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe, at about 3.15pm on Thursday, police said. An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: 'We understand the coach was carrying approximately 60-70 people and was heading to Minehead Middle School at the time. 'We can confirm a number of casualties have been conveyed to hospital. 'The large majority of passengers have been taken to a rest centre in Wheddon Cross and we are working with the school to help them return at the earliest opportunity. 'Officers are at the school to help with that process, and we would ask any parents to please head there.' Minehead Middle School caters for pupils aged between nine and 14, and is five days away from the end of term. The A396 remains closed and police asked people to avoid the area. Peter Prior-Sankey, director of local coach operator Ridlers, said: 'We were made aware of an incident involving one of our 70-seater vehicles at about 3.15pm this afternoon, understood to have taken place as a group of school pupils were returning from a day trip. 'We have since been liaising with both the school and the emergency services while we try to understand the extent of the incident. '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.' In a post on X, Rachel Gilmour, 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.' The Transport Secretary said she was being kept updated on the crash. In a post on X, Heidi Alexander said: 'I'm aware of the serious incident involving a bus near Minehead, Somerset. 'My thoughts are with all those involved. 'The emergency services are on scene, and I am receiving regular updates on the situation.'
The Independent
3 days ago
- The Independent
Coach carrying dozens of school children crashes in Somerset
A major incident has been declared after a coach carrying dozens of school children crashed in Somerset. The 70-seater vehicle was taking pupils back to Minehead Middle School after a day trip when the incident happened near Minehead on Thursday afternoon. Several people have been taken to hospital, Avon and Somerset Police said. A statement by the force said: 'We understand the coach was carrying approximately 60-70 people and was heading to Minehead Middle School at the time. 'We can confirm a number of casualties have been conveyed to hospital. 'The large majority of passengers have been taken to a rest centre in Wheddon Cross and we are working with the school to help them return at the earliest opportunity. 'Officers are at the school to help with that process, and we would ask any parents to please head there.' The A396 remains closed and officers asked for people to avoid the area. The coach had been bringing children back from a daytrip, its operator has said. Peter Prior-Sankey, director of Ridlers, said: 'We were made aware of an incident involving one of our 70-seater vehicles at about 3.15pm this afternoon, understood to have taken place as a group of school pupils were returning from a daytrip. 'We have since been liaising with both the school, and the emergency services, while we try to understand the extent of the incident. '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.' 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.' 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.' Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'I'm aware of the serious incident involving a bus near Minehead, Somerset. 'My thoughts are with all those involved. The emergency services are on scene, and I am receiving regular updates on the situation.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Major incident declared after coach crashes in Somerset on way back from school trip
A major incident has been declared after a coach bringing children back from a school trip crashed near Minehead, Somerset. Emergency services are responding to a collision on the A396 Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe, according to Avon and Somerset Police. There have been a number of casualties who have been taken to hospital. The coach, which had 60-70 people on board, reportedly left the road near the junction with Ashwell Lane and Steart Lane around 3pm today. It had been heading to Minehead Middle School at the time. The force said most of the passengers have been taken off the coach. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were working to free the remaining occupants and South Western Ambulance Service are also on the scene, said police. Peter Prior-Sankey, director of coach operator Ridlers, 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." The road remains closed and police are asking people to avoid the area. 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." Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she is "aware of the serious incident" and "receiving regular updates on the situation". This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the latest version. You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
