Latest news with #SomersetFireandRescueService
The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- General
- The Irish Sun
Hero off-duty firefighter rushed to save kids when school trip bus overturned leaving 2 dead & 21 injured
A HEROIC off-duty firefighter who was driving behind a school bus that tragically crashed yesterday immediately rushed to help. One child sadly died and two others were rushed to hospital after the coach veered off the road and slid down a 20ft bank. 7 Emergency crews rescued passengers from the bus following a crash Credit: SWNS 7 A large section of the A396 in Somerset was closed off while teams dealt with the scene Credit: BPM Media 7 Five helicopters were deployed to help the major rescue operation Credit: SWNS 7 Some 21 casualties were taken to hospital by land and air after the accident. The bus came off the A396 between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe in Somerset shortly before 3pm yesterday. Emergency crews worked tirelessly to rescue trapped passengers. It later emerged that a heroic off-duty firefighter was travelling behind the coach and was able to start freeing passengers straight away. 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." 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." Most read in The Sun Two people were left seriously injured following the crash, which saw the coach filled with pupils from Minehead Middle School leave the road. It is thought that the year five pupils were returning from a trip to Exmoor Zoo in nearby Devon. 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. 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. 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. Read more on the Irish Sun "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." 7 Police on guard outside Minehead Middle School Credit: SWNS 7 Emergency crews have been spotted around the scene of the crash Credit: SWNS 7 The road remains closed after 21 casualties were rushed to hospital Credit: SWNS
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
Hero off-duty firefighter rushed to save kids when school trip bus overturned leaving 2 dead & 21 injured
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HEROIC off-duty firefighter who was driving behind a school bus that tragically crashed yesterday immediately rushed to help. One child sadly died and two others were rushed to hospital after the coach veered off the road and slid down a 20ft bank. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Emergency crews rescued passengers from the bus following a crash Credit: SWNS 7 A large section of the A396 in Somerset was closed off while teams dealt with the scene Credit: BPM Media 7 Five helicopters were deployed to help the major rescue operation Credit: SWNS 7 Some 21 casualties were taken to hospital by land and air after the accident. The bus came off the A396 between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe in Somerset shortly before 3pm yesterday. Emergency crews worked tirelessly to rescue trapped passengers. It later emerged that a heroic off-duty firefighter was travelling behind the coach and was able to start freeing passengers straight away. 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." 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. It is thought that the year five pupils were returning from a trip to Exmoor Zoo in nearby Devon. 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. 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. 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." 7 Police on guard outside Minehead Middle School Credit: SWNS 7 Emergency crews have been spotted around the scene of the crash Credit: SWNS
Ammon
06-05-2025
- Climate
- Ammon
Wildfire destroys 12,500 acres of land on Dartmoor
Ammon News - A large wildfire on Dartmoor that started on Sunday afternoon has destroyed about 12,500 acres (50 sq km) of land. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said at its peak the blaze stretched across an area 3km (1.9 miles) by 1.4km (0.9 miles) and crews from 13 stations were deployed to the Dartmoor Forest area near Cut Hill. Wildlife support officers and a police helicopter were also deployed, which confirmed there were no concerns about injuries or missing people. In an update at 17:00 BST on Monday the fire service confirmed the fire was out.
The Independent
05-05-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Huge Darmoor wildfire destroys 12,500 acres as firefighters battle for 24 hours
A vast wildfire has scorched approximately 12,500 acres of moorland on Dartmoor, prompting a large-scale response from fire crews. Emergency services were alerted to the blaze near Merrivale and Okehampton around 2.25pm on Sunday. Firefighters battled the flames for nearly 24 hours before finally extinguishing the fire on Monday. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service cautioned the public to avoid the affected areas, warning that the fire's behaviour could be "unpredictable" due to changing weather conditions. It comes after the UK saw the warmest start to May on record, with 29.3C registered on Thursday afternoon at Kew Gardens, in south-west London, as firefighters battled a 2km moorland blaze which broke out near Ripponden, West Yorkshire, the same day. According to the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), as of 9am on May 1, fire and rescue services have responded to 439 wildfires since January 1. That compares with 250 in the same period in 2022, 60 in 2023 and just 44 in 2024. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service posted an update to X on Monday evening saying: 'Approximately 12,500 acres of moorland were destroyed by fire. 'Crews assisted by Dartmoor rangers and Commoners using firefighting equipment attempted to extinguish the fire to protect the environment. 'Crews used five Argo Cat vehicles, fogging units, leaf blowers and a drone.' Dartmoor National Park posted a photo of the fire to X on Monday morning, asking people to keep their distance from the blaze. It added: 'The dry weather has left Dartmoor highly vulnerable to fire. Please don't light BBQs or fires.' Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service's area manager, Simon Young, told the BBC: ' Wildfires are always challenging because they are inaccessible for our appliances to go onto our moorland,' he said. 'It makes it very difficult, but we have specialist vehicles to make sure we have capability to get onto the moor and make sure we can do the job as safely as possible. 'The wind has really played its part and we are currently under amber wildfire conditions nationally for the next three to four days. 'We know the conditions are very dry under foot and with the wind it has just exacerbated it.' Meanwhile, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service was called to a fire in the open at about 12.45pm on Monday on Turfhill, Lightwater in Surrey Heath. People were asked to avoid the area during the afternoon due to heavy smoke as firefighters tackled the four-acre blaze.
The Guardian
05-05-2025
- Climate
- The Guardian
Wildfire destroys about 5,000 hectares of Dartmoor national park
A wildfire has destroyed about 5,000 hectares (12,500 acres) of moorland on Dartmoor in Devon. Emergency services were called to the blaze at about 2.25pm on Sunday, and firefighters spent almost 24 hours at the scene before it was extinguished on Monday. The UK has had the warmest start to May on record, with 29.3C registered on Thursday afternoon at Kew Gardens in south-west London, as firefighters battled a 1.6 mile (2km) moorland blaze that broke out near Ripponden, West Yorkshire the same day. According to the National Fire Chiefs Council, as of 9am on 1 May, fire and rescue services have responded to 439 wildfires since 1 January. That compares with 250 in the same period in 2022, 60 in 2023 and 44 in 2024. People were asked to avoid the Merrivale and Okehampton areas for the time being, and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the fire might behave unpredictably due to the changing weather. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service posted an update to X on Monday evening saying: 'Approximately 12,500 acres of moorland were destroyed by fire. 'Crews assisted by Dartmoor rangers and Commoners using firefighting equipment attempted to extinguish the fire to protect the environment. 'Crews used five Argo Cat vehicles, fogging units, leaf blowers and a drone.' Dartmoor national park posted a photo of the fire to X on Monday morning, saying: 'The dry weather has left Dartmoor highly vulnerable to fire. Please don't light BBQs or fires.' Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service's area manager, Simon Young, told the BBC: 'Wildfires are always challenging because they are inaccessible for our appliances to go on to our moorland,' he said. 'It makes it very difficult, but we have specialist vehicles to make sure we have capability to get on to the moor and make sure we can do the job as safely as possible. 'The wind has really played its part and we are currently under amber wildfire conditions nationally for the next three to four days. 'We know the conditions are very dry under foot and with the wind it has just exacerbated it.' Meanwhile, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service was called to a 1.6 hectare fire in the open at about 12.45pm on Monday on Turfhill, Lightwater in Surrey Heath.
