Latest news with #schoolcoachcrash
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Daily Mail
Boy, 10, killed in school coach crash was found still strapped into his seat with fatal head injuries, inquest hears
A 10-year-old schoolboy killed when his school coach crashed died from a head injury - and he was discovered still strapped into his seat, a coroner has revealed. Oliver Price was found inside the overturned 70-seater bus transporting pupils and teachers from Minehead Middle School in Somerset last Thursday. At the opening of an inquest into Oliver's death in Wells, Somerset, this morning, a statement was read by Vanessa McKinlay, assistant coroner for Somerset. The words on behalf of Coroner's Investigator Ben Batley told how Oliver had been pronounced dead at the scene at 5pm by paramedics and was identified to police by his father Matthew. The crash happened between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe at about 3.15pm on July 17. The coach left the road, overturned and came to rest about 20ft down a steep slope. An off-duty firefighter travelling behind the vehicle was able to start freeing passengers immediately. Ms McKinlay, opening the inquest today, said: 'Oliver was a student at Minehead Middle School and on 17th July was being taken back to Minehead by coach with a number of other children and staff. 'The coach came off the road and into a steep wooded area. Oliver was found seated with his seatbelt on. His provisional cause of death was a head injury.' Ms McKinlay adjourned the inquest until January 14 next year when Oliver's family, the coach driver, adult passengers on the coach, eyewitnesses, police, fire service, paramedics and a pathologist will be called to give evidence. She added: 'I'd like to close by offering my condolences to Oliver's family.' At least 21 other pupils and staff were injured when the coach slid off the A396 in Exmoor, Somerset, at 3pm last Thursday. The vehicle was carrying Year 5 pupils back from an end-of-year trip to Exmoor Zoo. A major incident was declared and a significant emergency service response began. A family liaison officer has kept Oliver's parents updated as the investigation continues. Meanwhile, floral tributes have been left outside the child's school. 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.' Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, described the fatal school coach crash as 'tragic' and said she was 'heartbroken for the parents and the school and the wider family'. She told BBC Breakfast the coach was coming from Exmoor Zoo, when it came off the road and went down a 20ft slope, adding that it was 'pretty catastrophic'. Asked about the area, Ms Gilmour said: 'It's a very difficult road, very, very steep, very windy, and it's just the nature of rural roads in my constituency, you know, Minehead famously, only has one road that takes you into it on the A39 and if you're coming from where I live in Bampton or across the Moor, those are the roads that you have to use.' Ms Gilmour praised the 'fabulous job' by the emergency services, adding: 'We've been told up to 20 ambulances went to the scene, three air ambulances, obviously paramedics, police, firemen, you know, just deeply grateful to our emergency services and just heartbroken for the parents and the school and the wider family.' She said she visited Minehead Middle School recently and hailed it as a 'fantastic school' with a 'great headmistress'. One of the school's teachers posted on Facebook: 'My amazing students, I couldn't be prouder of all of you, how incredibly brave you have been. 'You have looked after each in what was a life-changing event, we will get through this together. 'I feel so lucky to be your teacher. I am so grateful to my wonderful colleagues during this time who were also fighting to help as many people as we could. 'My deepest condolences to all parents, carers, family and friends involved.'
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 Independent
18-07-2025
- General
- The Independent
Child who died in school coach crash was 10-year-old boy, police say
The child who died in a school coach crash in Somerset was a 10-year-old boy, police have said. Six children and three adults remain in hospital after a school bus left the A396 at Cutcombe Hill near Minehead and slid down a 20ft slope on Thursday afternoon. The vehicle had been returning to Minehead Middle School from a trip to Exmoor Zoo with 60 to 70 pupils and staff on board when the incident occurred. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed on Friday that a 10-year-old boy had died in the crash. Formal identification has not yet been completed, but specially trained officers are supporting his next of kin. Two children were taken to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children by air ambulance following the incident, while four other children and three adults remain in hospital in Somerset, a police spokesperson said. The crash happened on the A396 at Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe, at about 3.15pm on Thursday. The vehicle left the road, overturned and came to rest about 20ft (six metres) from the roadway, down a steep slope. An off-duty firefighter travelling behind the coach was able to start freeing passengers immediately. Recovery of the vehicle and collision investigation are complex, and police expect the road to remain closed for a considerable time. Minehead Middle School, which caters for pupils aged between nine and 14, and is five days away from the end of term, remained closed on Friday. On Friday, a stream of people came to the school to pay respects, leaving floral tributes and messages at the gates. Many were visibly upset and could be seen hugging and supporting each other. The driver of the coach is reported to be in a stable condition but has suffered 'a number of injuries'. In a statement, 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 or those with dashcam footage of the incident to come forward. He also asked for people to avoid speculating about the circumstances of the crash on social media, to prevent further distress to the children, their families, school staff and the driver. He added: 'Our thoughts go out to all those involved, their families, friends and colleagues.' Dozens of bouquets of flowers, balloons, and messages have been left at the school. One said: ' Thinking of everyone at this heartbreaking and devastating time. 'Our community is holding you all tight and surrounding you with love.' Another said: 'We are truly heartbroken to hear of the tragic events affecting the pupils, staff and families of Minehead Middle School. 'Our thoughts are with every member of the community, and we hold you all in our hearts during this time of unimaginable grief.' One of the school's teachers posted on Facebook: 'My amazing students, I couldn't be prouder of all of you, how incredibly brave you have been. 'You have looked after each other in what was a life-changing event, we will get through this together. 'I feel so lucky to be your teacher. I am so grateful to my wonderful colleagues during this time who were also fighting to help as many people as we could. 'My deepest condolences to all parents, carers, family and friends involved. 'Finally, thank you to the emergency services who have saved many lives and to the brilliant public who went out of their way to look after myself and most importantly the wonderful students of Minehead Middle School.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said in a post 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.' Speaking to the PA news agency outside the school gates, the Rev Philip Butcher, the vicar of Minehead, said the community was in shock. 'It was absolutely numbing, there are no words to describe what happened yesterday,' he said. '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.'
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Yahoo
Child who died in school coach crash was 10-year-old boy, police say
The child who died in a school coach crash in Somerset was a 10-year-old boy, police have said. Six children and three adults remain in hospital after a school bus left the A396 at Cutcombe Hill near Minehead and slid down a 20ft slope on Thursday afternoon. The vehicle had been returning to Minehead Middle School from the Exmoor Zoo with 60 to 70 passengers on board when the incident occurred. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed on Friday that a 10-year-old boy had died in the crash. Formal identification has not yet been completed, but specially trained officers are supporting his next of kin. Two children were taken to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children by air ambulance following the incident, while four other children and three adults remain in hospital in Somerset, a police spokesperson said. 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 police expect the road to remain closed for a considerable time.
Sky News
18-07-2025
- General
- Sky News
Child who died in Minehead school coach crash was 10-year-old boy, police say
The child who died in a school coach crash in Somerset on Thursday was a 10-year-old boy, Avon and Somerset Police have said. A specially trained officer is supporting the child's family, the force said, adding that two children taken to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children by air ambulance remain there as of Friday. Four children and three adults also remain in hospital in Somerset. There were between 60 to 70 people on board when the incident happened near Minehead, just before 3pm on Thursday. The coach was heading to Minehead Middle School when it crashed on the A396 between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe. Police said that 21 people were taken to hospital, including two children who were taken via air ambulance. Gavin Ellis, chief fire officer for Devon and Somerset, said the coach "overturned onto its roof and slid approximately 20ft down an embankment". Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, said the road where it happened is "very difficult to manoeuvre". "You have a very difficult crossing at Wheddon Cross, and as you come out to dip down into Timbercombe, the road is really windy and there are very steep dips on either side," she told Sky's Anna Botting.
