Minehead school bus crash latest: One child killed after coach carrying dozens of pupils overturns in Somerset

The trust which runs the school whose pupils were on the coach that crashed near Minehead, Somerset, has said it is working closely with the emergency services.

In a statement, Beacon Education Multi-Academy Trust, which runs Minehead Middle School, said: “We are working closely with the emergency services and relevant authorities following an incident this afternoon to support our pupils, families, and staff at this very difficult time.

“We will update our school community further as soon as more information becomes available, and we kindly ask for your patience and understanding as we manage this evolving situation with care and sensitivity.”

The school coach slid 20ft down a bank after it flipped onto its roof, the press conference has been told.

An off-duty firefighter travelling behind the coach was able to start freeing passengers immediately, Gavin Ellis of Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service said.

“We were mobilised to a major incident of a coach that had overturned onto its roof and slid approximately 20ft down the embankment,” he told reporters.

“Our crews carried out a number of extrications 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.

“I’m also grateful to the off-duty firefighter who was traveling behind the coach at the point of the crash who was able to start to release those casualties from the bus.”

Sir Keir Starmer has described the news that a child has died in a school bus crash as a “heartbreaking” update.

In a post on X, he wrote: “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.”

Below is a quick summary of everything we know about today’s horrific crash in Somerset.

• A school bus crashed at 3.15pm on A396, near Minehead
• It was carrying between 60 and 70 people
• Witnesses say it fell down a 20ft slope at an area where there are no barriers on the road
• There were dozens of children on board the coach from Minehead Middle School
• One child was pronounced dead at the scene
• Two more were airlifted to the nearby hospital
• In total, 21 people were taken to hospital

It remains unclear what caused the coach to crash. It was heading back to Minehead Middle School. The school’s term finishes in less than a week.

We bring you the full statement of Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington of Avon and Somerset Police.

Speaking outside Bridgwater Police Centre, Mr Edgington said: “We can confirm tonight that one child has sadly died.

“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.

“Many passengers either sustained minor injuries or were physically unharmed and were transferred to a rest centre.

“Work to help them return to Minehead has been taking place throughout the evening.”

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander says she is receiving regular updates on the Somerset crash.

We have some of the first pictures from the scene of today’s car crash in Somerset.

Pictures of the damaged school coach are not being published.

Below, you can read in full our story on today’s horrific crash in Somerset.

Details are still emerging as to what happened to cause the crash.

It happened on the A396 at Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe, at about 3.15pm on Thursday, police said.

A resident who lives near the site of a school coach crash near Minehead, Somerset, has described the incident as horrendous.

The person, who did not wish to be named, said: “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.”

The A396 remains closed.

Police have issued a statement alongside the fire and ambulance services to say that at least one child has tragically died at the scene.

Two more were airlifted to hospital.

They added that a total of 21 people were taken to hospital.

Between 60 and 70 people were on the Minehead Middle School coach when it crashed.