**Tragic School Coach Crash in Minehead Claims Child’s Life, Several Hospitalised**
A devastating crash involving a school coach has resulted in the death of a child, with multiple casualties reported, after the vehicle left the A396 near Wheddon Cross in Somerset this afternoon. The incident, which occurred at approximately 3.15pm on Thursday, unfolded as a coach transporting pupils back to Minehead Middle School following a school trip to the zoo, veered off the road.
Local authorities, including Avon and Somerset Police, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and ambulance crews, rushed to the scene. Emergency services worked swiftly to extract passengers stuck within the vehicle. The force formally declared the crash a “major incident,” prompting a significant multi-agency response.
At a press briefing held this evening, Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington confirmed the heartbreaking news that one child had died as a result of the collision. He also announced that several others had sustained injuries and have since been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The coach was believed to be carrying between 60 and 70 people, mostly children, as it made its return journey to Minehead Middle School. According to police statements, the “majority of passengers were safely evacuated from the bus” and transported to a designated rest centre in Wheddon Cross. School staff and police officers are currently supporting the children as they wait to be returned to their families.
Parents were advised to attend Minehead Middle School directly rather than attempt to reach the crash site, as the A396 remains closed and access is restricted. The police have also issued a plea for motorists to avoid the area to enable the emergency services to continue their response unimpeded.
Witnesses describe scenes of chaos as emergency responders worked to free those trapped inside the vehicle. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they had to use heavy rescue equipment to access certain parts of the coach. It remains unclear what caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Investigations are underway and specialist officers are currently examining the scene.
While the majority of students escaped without significant injury, the incident has left the local community in shock. The school, which serves as a central hub for families in Minehead and the surrounding areas, has issued a statement expressing their deep sadness and pledging support for the affected families.
Local authorities have established a support network for parents and pupils, including access to counselling services in the coming days. Police have promised to provide regular updates as more information, including the possible cause of the crash, becomes available. Officers will remain in contact with the families of those involved throughout the process.
The A396 remains cordoned off and is expected to be closed for the foreseeable future to accommodate ongoing rescue and recovery operations. As the school community comes to terms with today’s tragic events, questions will undoubtedly be raised over school transport safety and the measures in place to prevent future tragedies.
This incident has underscored the importance of rapid emergency response and inter-agency cooperation in the face of disaster. For now, Minehead mourns the loss of a child and awaits news of the remaining injured, as the investigation continues into what led to this catastrophic accident.