A CHILD who died in a school bus crash was 10 years old – with six other kids remaining in hospital.
Emergency services were called to the scene after the coach full of pupils veered off the road at around 3pm yesterday.
SWNSFloral tributes, stuffed toys and messages have been left outside the gates of Minehead Middle School in Somerset[/caption]
ANDREW LLOYDThe coach veered off the A396 between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe[/caption]
ANDREW LLOYDA police closure remains in place[/caption]
ANDREW LLOYDThe remains of the bus were removed from the crash site today[/caption]
Up to 70 people – children and adults travelling to Minehead Middle School – were understood to have been on the coach.
The vehicle left the road, on the A396 at Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe.
It 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.
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 to the collision to come forward.
He added: “Please avoid speculating about the circumstances on social media, to prevent additional distress for the children, their families, the school community, staff and the driver, who are all deeply affected by what’s happened.
“Our thoughts go out to all those involved, their families, friends and colleagues.”
Laying flowers with his mum Kim outside his school, Jayden, who was on the bus that flipped, said he doesn’t remember much.
“I just remember climbing up the hill to get back on the road,” he said.
His mum said she became frantic when Jayden didn’t arrive at his gran’s house at 4pm on Thursday.
“I’m just so grateful to have my baby home,” she told the BBC.
Kim phoned the school, but said they were unable to say if her son was on the bus.
A friend later called the mum and said she was at the scene with Jayden.
“It’s just that not knowing if they’re okay, if they’re safe, if they got off the bus,” she said.
Kim said the heroic off-duty firefighter who helped passengers had a daughter on the bus.
GettyJayden, who was a passenger on the bus and was treated for a suspected broken collarbone[/caption]
A large section of the A396 in Somerset was closed off while teams dealt with the sceneBPM Media
A huge emergency response rushed to the scene – including fire crews, police and ambulancesBPM Media
It later emerged that the firefighter was travelling behind the coach and was able to start freeing passengers straight away.
Kim thanked the hospital staff who gave the children “lego and teddies”.
But Kim said she now has to break the news of the boy’s death to Jayden.
“He’s lost a friend.”
Some 21 casualties were taken to hospital by land and air after the accident.
The bus driver is in hospital in a stable condition, but suffering from a number of injuries.
The bus came off the A396 between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe.
Emergency crews worked tirelessly to rescue trapped passengers.
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.”
SWNSFive helicopters were deployed to help the major rescue operation[/caption]
bbcPolice, ambulance and fire crews gave a press conference this evening[/caption]
SWNSEmergency crews have been spotted around the scene of the crash[/caption]
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.
The year five pupils were returning from a trip to Exmoor Zoo in nearby Devon.
Lucky Emily Manning, 10, climbed on board the 70-seater after an end of term trip to the zoo but was told to get off because it was already full.
She got on the first of the two coaches instead and arrived home safely.
But the second coach veered off the road, flipped onto its roof and careered down a 20ft embankment.
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.
Beacon Education Multi-Academy Trust said: “It is with deep sadness and heartbreak that we confirm that a pupil from Minehead Middle School has tragically died following a road traffic incident earlier today involving a coach carrying pupils and staff returning from an educational visit.
“A number of other people have been taken to hospital, some of them with serious injuries. This includes two children who were taken to hospital by air ambulance.
SWNSThe road remains closed after 21 casualties were rushed to hospital[/caption]
The pupils were from Minehead Middle School and are understood to be aged between nine and 10 years oldBPM Media
SWNSEmergency crews spotted at the scene this afternoon[/caption]
“Our entire school community are devastated by this news, and we will do everything we can to support everyone affected.
“We are working closely with the emergency services and relevant authorities, and we will support our pupils, staff, and families at this incredibly difficult time.”
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.
GettyPeople gathered outside the school[/caption]
GettyA woman stands with her arms around two children as they look at floral tributes[/caption]
PAA tribute left outside the school today[/caption]
Cops estimate around 60 to 70 people were onboard the coach when it left the road.
Ridlers Coaches director Peter Prior-Sankey said in a statement: “Everyone at Ridlers is truly devastated by yesterday’s tragic incident and our thoughts and prayers remain with the pupils, their families, and the school.
“Our thanks go to the incredible emergency service teams for their response, and to those across our local hospitals and community who have done so much for those impacted over the last 24 hours.
“I can confirm that the driver is himself in a stable condition in hospital, but with a number of injuries. We are in contact with his wife and family, and have offered ongoing support.”
He added that staff at the company are being supported and he and his team are liaising with Somerset Council
Mr Prior-Sankey said a decision had been made not to run any school routes into Minehead today, and that ongoing discussions will be had over the coming days concerning any other affected routes or contracts.
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.”
An Avon and Somerset spokesperson said: “Two children taken to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children by air ambulance following a collision on Exmoor remain in hospital.
“Tragically, a 10-year-old boy died in the collision. Formal identification processes have not yet been completed, but a specially trained officer is supporting their next of kin.
“Four children and three adults remain in hospital in Somerset.
“Emergency services were called to the single-vehicle collision on the A396 at Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe, at 3pm on Thursday 17 July.
“Up to 70 people – children and adults travelling to Minehead Middle School – were understood to have been on the coach.
“Teams from Avon and Somerset Police, Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service and South Western Ambulance Service were all involved at the scene, supported by the National Police Air Service helicopter, as well as Devon Air Ambulance, and Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.
“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 we expect the road to remain closed for a considerable time.
“A thorough and detailed examination of the scene is required, and the location of the vehicle makes both the investigation and the vehicle recovery more challenging.”
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