**Second Child Fatally Injured in M4 Minibus Crash as Community Mourns**
An 11-year-old boy has tragically become the second fatality following a devastating minibus accident on the M4, a little over three weeks after the incident occurred, stirring profound sorrow across the affected communities. The young victim, Othniel Adoma from Bracknell in Berkshire, died on Thursday, adding to the heartbreak initiated by the earlier death of a six-year-old boy in the same crash.
The accident took place on the afternoon of Sunday, 11th May, when a white Ford Transit minibus carrying several children overturned on the eastbound exit slip road at junction 10 of the M4 near Wokingham. Emergency services responded swiftly after being alerted to the scene at 2:24pm, with the first crew arriving within eight minutes. The incident required a substantial emergency response, including two air ambulance crews, five critical care teams, and six ambulances, illustrating the severity of the situation.
Whilst the loss of two young lives is being deeply felt, police have confirmed that five other children who sustained injuries in the collision have now been discharged from hospital. The long-term physical and emotional impact on both the survivors and their families, however, is likely to be considerable.
Detective Sergeant Lyndsey Blackaby from the Thames Valley Police’s serious collision investigation unit addressed the public’s concern on Friday. “The thoughts of everyone at Thames Valley Police are with the family and friends of Othniel Adoma,” she remarked. The Adoma family, in a gesture of remembrance, released poignant photographs of the 11-year-old, asking that their privacy be respected as they grieve.
This tragedy has resonated not only within the families directly affected but also across the broader community, especially in Bracknell and Wokingham, where many knew the children involved. While communities come together to offer support, the circumstances of the crash have also prompted discussions about transport safety measures for children.
South Central Ambulance Service, which was among the first on the scene, described the scale of the emergency response. Advanced paramedics and specialist air ambulance doctors worked alongside local police and firefighters in a co-ordinated effort to rescue and treat those injured. Despite their efforts, two young lives could not be saved, underscoring the unpredictability and potential dangers present on the nation’s roads.
Thames Valley Police confirmed that no arrests have been made in connection with the incident. Their investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding the crash continues, as they gather evidence and eyewitness accounts to piece together what led to this devastating outcome.
The school communities that the children attended have expressed their condolences and offered support services for classmates and families, reflecting on the challenges young people face in processing such unexpected loss.
As the investigation moves forward, conversations about road safety and the safeguarding of children during group travel are renewed. Educational authorities and local organisations are likely to examine ways to further improve transportation arrangements, mindful of this heart-wrenching event.
For now, the focus remains firmly on remembering the young lives lost and supporting those left behind, as the community rallies in the hope of healing and finding answers in the coming weeks.