One child killed and two seriously injured in Somerset coach crash
Around 60-70 people were onboard the coach when it acme off the road near Minehead
Last updated 17th Jul 2025
One child has died and two others are among a number of people seriously injured, following a coach crash near Minehead.
It happened on the A396 Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe, at around 3.15pm.
The coach was carrying 60-70 passengers, returning to Minehead Middle School from a day trip.
A major incident was declared, with police, fire and ambulance services dispatching crews to the scene.
During a press conference on Thursday evening, Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington told reporters that a child had died following the incident, and twenty-one people have been taken to hospital.
He added: "This includes two children who were taken to hospital by air ambulance, many passengers either sustained minor injuries or were physically unharmed and were transferred to a rest centre.
"Work to help them return to Minehead has been taking place throughout the evening.
"An investigation into the cause of this incident will be carried out."
The school coach slid 20ft down a bank after it flipped onto its roof, the press conference was told.
An off-duty firefighter travelling behind the coach was able to start freeing passengers immediately, Gavin Ellis of Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service said.
"We were mobilised to a major incident of a coach that had overturned onto its roof and slid approximately 20ft down the embankment," he told reporters.
"Our crews carried out a number of extrications and rescues in extremely difficult circumstances, and they also supported our ambulance colleagues with casualty treatment.
"This was a very complex and technically difficult incident for our crews to deal with, and I'm grateful for the tireless effort and actions of the crews in doing everything they could for those who were trapped and as quickly as safely as possible.
"I'm also grateful to the off-duty firefighter who was traveling behind the coach at the point of the crash who was able to start to release those casualties from the bus."
Wayne Darch, deputy director of operations for the South Western Ambulance Service said: "We declared a major incident that has since been stood down.
"We sent 46 resources to the scene, including 20 double-crewed ambulances, three air ambulances, a command team and two hazardous area response teams.
"We treated several patients at the scene and conveyed 21 patients to hospital via land and by air."
In a statement, Beacon Education MAT, which runs Minehead Middle School said: “We are working closely with the emergency services and relevant authorities following an incident this afternoon to support our pupils, families, and staff at this very difficult time.
“We will update our school community further as soon as more information becomes available, and we kindly ask for your patience and understanding as we manage this evolving situation with care and sensitivity.”
Peter Prior-Sankey, director of local coach operator Ridlers, said: "We were made aware of an incident involving one of our 70-seater vehicles at about 3.15pm this afternoon, understood to have taken place as a group of school pupils were returning from a day trip.
"We have since been liaising with both the school and the emergency services while we try to understand the extent of the incident.
"Everyone within the Ridlers team is of course deeply concerned and anxious to find out more detail, particularly concerning the welfare of the driver and passengers.
"While we wait for further information from police and other emergency teams, our hearts of course go out to the school pupils and to our driver.
"We will be doing everything possible to understand what has happened."
In a post on X, Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, said: "I have heard news about a distressing road traffic incident around Wheddon Cross this afternoon.
"Emergency services are present, so please give them space to work.
"My thoughts are with all involved in the incident."
The Transport Secretary said she was being kept updated on the crash.
In a post on X, Heidi Alexander said: "I'm aware of the serious incident involving a bus near Minehead, Somerset.
"My thoughts are with all those involved.
"The emergency services are on scene, and I am receiving regular updates on the situation."
The Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, also posted on X, and said she was "shocked and saddened" to hear about the incident.
She added: "I would like to thank the emergency services for their continuing work in these challenging circumstances and my department stands ready to support the school community."
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