A devastating coach crash near Minehead has left one child dead and more than 20 others injured after a school bus overturned and slid down a steep embankment on Thursday afternoon.
The vehicle, carrying children from Minehead Middle School on a school trip, crashed on the A396 near Wheddon Cross, a narrow and winding stretch of road in rural Somerset. Emergency services rushed to the scene just before 3 p.m. after the coach reportedly flipped onto its roof and fell around 20 feet down a wooded slope.
One young pupil died at the scene. Two others were seriously injured and airlifted to hospital, while 19 more were treated for injuries ranging from broken bones to facial wounds. One girl reportedly lost fingers in the crash. The children were aged between 9 and 14 years old.
An off-duty firefighter, who happened to be driving behind the coach, was among the first on the scene and helped free trapped children. Dozens of emergency workers attended, including 20 ambulances, three air ambulances, 60 firefighters, hazardous response teams, and a police helicopter.
Locals quickly stepped in to help. Pupils were taken to a nearby village hall and pub for shelter and care while parents were contacted. Some children were able to walk away with minor injuries, while others required stretchers and urgent treatment.
Investigations are now underway to determine what caused the crash. The road where the accident happened is known for its steep inclines and sharp bends and lacks crash barriers in some areas. Police are examining whether excessive speed, road conditions, mechanical failure, or driver fatigue may have played a part. Officials have urged the public not to speculate while enquiries are ongoing.
The coach was operated by local company Ridlers, which is cooperating with the authorities. The vehicle had been returning from a school trip to the zoo when the crash occurred.
Minehead Middle School is expected to remain open, though it will provide counselling and bereavement support for pupils, staff, and families. The headteacher described the day as “one of the darkest in the school’s history.”
Local MP Rachel Gilmour called the crash “a horrifying tragedy,” adding that the road where the incident happened is “notoriously difficult” and has long been a concern for local residents.
Political leaders across the spectrum expressed sorrow. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, “There are no words adequate to capture the grief of losing a child.” Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said her department would support the investigation and review safety conditions on rural school routes.
Labour councillor and education campaigner Rowenna Davis said, “This should never happen on a school trip. Children should come home safely. Every time.”
Despite 35 formal objections to a wider government intervention in Somerset’s transportation spending earlier this year, today’s events are expected to renew pressure on ministers to prioritise safety upgrades on rural roads.
The Department for Transport has not yet commented on whether road improvements will now be fast-tracked.
The crash investigation is expected to take several weeks. In the meantime, families in Minehead and across Somerset are mourning—and asking tough questions about how such a tragedy could happen on what should have been an ordinary school day.
