Minehead bus crash latest: Schoolboy, 10, killed after bus overturned with two seriously injured – UK Times

Police have kept the road closed and say it will remain closed for a considerable time due to the complexity of the investigation.

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.”

A child who died after a school coach crashed near Minehead in Somerset on Thursday was a 10-year-old boy.

Six children and three adults remain in hospital.

Two children were taken to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children by air ambulance following the incident, while four other children and three adults remain in hospital in Somerset, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Emily Manning, 10, who was on the school trip to Exmoor Zoo had a lucky escape when she was stopped from boarding the coach involved in the fatal crash because it was already full.

Laying flowers with her father, Nick Manning, she told The Times: “I wanted to be on the second coach because that’s where my friends were but there were too many people so I got off. I felt upset because my friends were on that bus.”

Mr Manning said it was a “nightmare”. He told the newspaper he had constant calls and messages from people checking Emily was safe.

Residents in the Minehead area are paying their respects following the crash by laying flowers outside the middle school.

“Our thoughts are with the student, families and teachers. We stand together as a community,” a note among the flowers read.

The landlord of a pub in Wheddon Cross near the scene of the crash gave hospitality to the walking wounded following the incident.

Eric Norman, landlord of the Rest and Be Thankful Inn, told BBC Radio Somerset his pub was used as he main area for all the walking wounded to be seen by the emergency services.

“I can honestly say the services were quick and efficient beyond belief,” he said.

The pub owner grew up in the area and has run the pub for 20 years.

“The community has pulled together immensely […] it was no surprise at all because we’re a country community therefore we know that when problems arise someone will always be there to help and do things. Simple as that.”

A fundraiser has been launched by a father-of-two from Taunton following the coach crash near Minehead.

The campaign set up by Bobbie Rammond, 35, aims to raise money for the families most directly affected.

The business owner, who is the father to a nine and 13-year-old, is known in the area as the face of Extours – a historical walking tours and ghost walks company.

Although he doesn’t know anyone involved in the incident he said the crash has shaken the entire community.

“I think we’ve all felt it over here. It’s just like there’s a dark cloud looming over West Somerset at the moment,” he told the Independent.

“As a parent, I can only begin to imagine the heartbreak those families are going through,” he wrote on the Gofundme page.

The campaign is off to a strong start, raising over £700 in its first hour.

Avon and Somerset Police Commissioner Clare Moody said the crash was “heartrending”.

She said: “It’s awful to contemplate what the children on the coach went through and what their families have been going through since then.”

Praising the emergency services she said they did an “incredible job”.

Kim’s son Jayden was one of the children on the bus.

The mother told the BBC she is grateful to have her “baby home”.

She explained her son was meant to arrive at his grandmothers house at 4pm.

Kim later found Jayden was on the coach and he had a suspected broken collarbone.

“It’s just that not knowing if they’re ok, if they’re safe, if they got off the bus,” she said.

Kim said the off-duty firefighter who helped passengers had a daughter on the bus, the BBC reported.