A YOUNG boy who survived a school bus crash that killed his classmate has spoken about what happened in the moments after.
A 10-year-old boy tragically died when the coach full of pupils overturned after veering off the road at around 3pm yesterday.
GettyJayden, who was a passenger on the bus and was treated for a suspected broken collarbone, with his mum outside Minehead Middle School[/caption]
GettyJayden and his mum lay flowers at the school[/caption]
SWNSEmergency crews have been spotted around the scene of the crash[/caption]
GettyA woman kisses a child on the cheek in front of floral tributes outside Minehead Middle School after the tragic crash[/caption]
A large section of the A396 in Somerset was closed off while teams dealt with the sceneBPM Media
ANDREW LLOYDThe remains of the bus were removed from the crash site today[/caption]
Two children were airlifted to hospital after the coach careered down a 20ft embankment in Somerset.
Four children and three adults remain in hospital, cops said.
Laying flowers with his mum 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 Kim 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 ok, if they’re safe, if they got off the bus,” she said.
Kim said a hero off-duty firefighter who helped passengers had a daughter on the bus.
It later emerged the man 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 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 coach came off the A396 between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe.
The driver is in hospital in a stable condition, but suffering from a number of injuries.
Two people were left seriously injured following the crash.
Year five pupils from Minehead Middle School, who were on board the coach, were returning from an end of term trip to Exmoor Zoo in nearby Devon.
Lucky Emily Manning, 10, climbed on board the 70-seater but was told to get off because it was already full.
She got on a different coach instead and arrived home safely.
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.
“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 airlifted 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 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.
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.”
Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington added: “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.
“We continue to appeal for anyone who witnessed the collision or has any dashcam footage which could be relevant to contact us. Please call 101 and give the reference 5225201782.
“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.”
SWNSPolice on guard outside Minehead Middle School[/caption]
SWNSThe road remains closed after 21 casualties were rushed to hospital[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
