Child dies and 21 injured as Minehead school coach overturns

Child dies and 21 injured as Minehead school coach overturns

Reporting from Somerset, Tess de la Mare & Emma Grimshaw cover a tragic incident that occurred when a coach carrying students from Minehead Middle School flipped over after an end-of-term trip, resulting in the death of a child and serious injuries to two others. Avon and Somerset Police responded by declaring a major incident following the crash at Cutcombe Hill near Wheddon Cross in Somerset. With about 70 passengers on board, including many students from the school, a total of 21 individuals were transported to the hospital for treatment.

Ch Supt Mark Edgington expressed the devastating nature of the situation, stating, “Today’s events are truly tragic. We know the community will be utterly devastated by this news.” Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer echoed the sentiment, acknowledging the heartbreaking update while conveying his support for the affected families and friends. He also commended the emergency workers for their swift response to the incident.

During a joint press conference involving the police, fire service, and ambulance service at Bridgwater Police Station, it was revealed that the coach had overturned and slid down an embankment near Wheddon Cross. Emergency responders, including firefighters and air ambulances, worked tirelessly to rescue those trapped in the vehicle. Despite the efforts, one child was pronounced dead at the scene, while others with minor injuries were transferred to a rest center for further assistance.

Both the authorities and school officials are cooperating to support those impacted by the tragedy and facilitate their return to safety. As investigations into the crash’s cause continue, Avon and Somerset Police have appealed for any witnesses to come forward and provide valuable information. Additionally, Beacon Education, the school’s governing body, expressed profound sadness over the incident and vowed to assist the affected students, staff, and families during this distressing period

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More