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: âWe understand the coach was carrying approximately 60-70 people and was heading to Minehead Middle School at the time.
âWe can confirm a number of casualties have been conveyed to hospital.
âThe 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.
âOfficers are at the school to help with that process, and we would ask any parents to please head there.â
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: âWe 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.
âWe have since been liaising with both the school and the emergency services while we try to understand the extent of the incident.
âEveryone 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.
âWhile 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.
âWe will be doing everything possible to understand what has happened.â
A person resident who lives near the crash scene has described the incident as âhorrendousâ.
The resident, who asked not to be named, told the PA news agency: âThe coach has gone down the slope. Itâs pretty steep around here and itâs a big coach.
âThere are no barriers along there or anything. Weâre used to it, you donât even notice it.
âI canât believe it happened quite honestly, itâs the biggest thing I have known to go over the slope.
âItâs horrendous, and Iâm just so sorry for all those kids on that coach.â
In a post on X, Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, said: âI have heard news about a distressing road traffic incident around Wheddon Cross this afternoon.
âEmergency services are present, so please give them space to work.
âMy thoughts are with all involved in the incident.â
The Transport Secretary said she was being kept updated on the crash.
In a post on X, Heidi Alexander said: âIâm aware of the serious incident involving a bus near Minehead, Somerset.
âMy thoughts are with all those involved.
âThe emergency services are on scene, and I am receiving regular updates on the situation.â
