Prime Minister: "No adequate words" after fatal bus crash in Minehead

Sir Keir Starmer says there are 'no adequate words' to say, after a child died in a school coach crash in Somerset yesterday (17/07).

Authorities say 21 passengers were taken to hospital after the 70-seater vehicle came off the A396 near Minehead, overturned on its roof and slid 20 feet down an embankment.

The Prime Minister has thanked emergency services for their quick response to the incident, which happened as the coach was on its way back to Minehead Middle School from Exmoor Zoo.

The road remained shut overnight.

Sir Keir Starmer said in a post on X: "A heartbreaking update on the school bus crash in Somerset.

"There are no adequate words to acknowledge the death of a child. All my thoughts are with their parents, family and friends, and all those affected.

"Thank you to the emergency workers who are responding at pace - I'm being kept up to date on this situation."

An off-duty firefighter travelling behind the coach was able to start freeing passengers immediately, a press conference on Thursday evening heard.

The crash happened on the A396 at Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe, at about 3.15pm on Thursday, police said.

Five days from the end of term

Minehead Middle School caters for pupils aged between nine and 14, and is five days away from the end of term.

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.

"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."

Emergency services declared a major incident, with 20 double-crewed ambulances, three air ambulances and eight fire engines sent to the scene.

'Deep sadness and heartbreak'

Beacon Education Multi-Academy Trust, which runs the school, said: "It is with deep sadness and heartbreak that we confirm that a pupil from Minehead Middle School has tragically died following a road traffic incident earlier today involving a coach carrying pupils and staff returning from an educational visit.

"A number of other people have been taken to hospital, some of them with serious injuries. This includes two children who were taken to hospital by air ambulance.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and all those affected by this terrible accident.

"Our entire school community are devastated by this news, and we will do everything we can to support everyone affected."

'Our thoughts are with the pupils, families and school community'

Amongst those paying tribute to the emergency service response were local football clubs.

In a statement on X overnight, Yeovil Town FC said they were thinking of everybody who was involved in the tragedy.

They added: "Everyone at Yeovil Town is thinking of all those affected by the tragic coach accident in West Somerset this evening.

"Our thoughts are with the pupils, families, and school community at this difficult time."

Bridgwater United FC Women said: "Sending our clubs deepest condolences and thoughts to everyone connected to Minehead Middle School.

"We are thinking of you all."

Minehead AFC reflected: "We are completely heartbroken to hear the tragic news involving pupils, teachers and parents of Minehead Middle School.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the whole community during this time."

Politicians have also been reacting to the 'heart-breaking' news.

Deputy Prime Minster Angela Rayner said: "Heartbreaking to learn a child has lost their life in the devastating incident in Minehead.

"Thinking of all the families and loved ones of those injured and impacted by this horrific tragedy.

"Grateful for the emergency services' tireless efforts."

Secretary of State for Education. Minister for Women & Equalities added: "I am shocked and saddened to hear of an incident involving a coach carrying school children in Minehead.

"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."

Whilst the local Liberal Democrat MP - Rachel Gilmour - said she thought she would have to do many things as the Member of Parliament for Tiverton and Minehead, but this was not one of them.

She reflected: "I am absolutely devastated at the news which has broken throughout this afternoon and evening about the horrific incident on the A396/B3224 by Wheddon Cross, which has claimed the life of a young child, and injured several others.

"I know that everyone in this fantastic community of Tiverton and Minehead, but particularly those close to the loved ones of the children and staff involved, will come together to provide care, love, and support at this time. I am so proud to come from this community, and, as a mother and member of the public, I know that we will be strong and support one another in this awful moment of tragedy.

"I want to thank all the emergency services who were there for their diligent and courageous work, and Eric at the Rest and Be Thankful who took people in to allow for a place of rest amongst all this hurt.

"Now is not a time for speculation or politics, but a time for community. I will do everything in my power to support everyone I can."

A 'heartfelt thank you to all colleagues and partners'

Wayne Darch, Deputy Director of Operations at the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust., said: "Can I begin by saying that on behalf of the Service our thoughts are with all of those involved in today’s tragic incident.

"We were called at 14:58 this afternoon, Thursday 17 July, to a significant road traffic incident on the A396 near Minehead. We declared a major incident, that has since been stood down.

"We sent 46 resources to scene, including 20 double-crewed land ambulances, three air ambulances, a command team, and two hazardous area response teams.

"We treated several patients at scene and conveyed 21 patients to hospital, via land and air ambulance.

"Very sadly, as confirmed by Avon and Somerset Police, one child died at the scene, and our thoughts are with their family and friends at this incredibly sad time.

"I would like to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you to all colleagues and partners who have responded to this incident.

"We ask that the public continues to access health services as normal. If you have an urgent healthcare need, please contact NHS111. For life-threatening emergencies, always call 999. "

'I can't believe it happened'

A resident who lives near the crash scene described the incident as "horrendous".

The resident, who asked not to be named, told the PA news agency: "The coach has gone down the slope. It's pretty steep around here and it's a big coach.

"There are no barriers along there or anything. We're used to it, you don't even notice it.

"I can't believe it happened, quite honestly, it's the biggest thing I have known to go over the slope.

"It's horrendous, and I'm just so sorry for all those kids on that coach."

Local coach operator Ridlers, which owns the bus, said it had been liaising with the school and the emergency services and confirmed the 70-seater vehicle was travelling back from Exmoor Zoo.

Read more: One child killed and two seriously injured in Somerset coach crash

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