Child dies in Minehead bus crash after school coach 'overturns'

Police have confirmed that one child has died after a school coach carrying 60-70 children and adults crashed this afternoon.

21 patients were taken to hospital after the crash by land and air ambulances. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that one child has died at the scene of the crash. Fire services confirmed the coach 'overturned onto its roof and slid 20ft down a bank'.

Two children were taken to hospital via air ambulance, police confirmed in a press confernce this evening. The fire service also confirmed an off-duty fire officer was travelling behind the coach at the time of the crash and managed to jump in to start helping passengers on board the coach which had slid down a ravine in Exmoor.

Follow our blog for all the latest updates on the crash here.

In an updated statement, police confirmed that a formal identification process has yet to be carried out, but added "our thoughts and sympathies are with their family, who we are in contact with." Speaking at a press conference, Chief Superintendent Mark Edington told reporters: "A number of other people have presented or been taken to hospital, some with serious injuries.

"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."

A major incident was declared following the crash near Minehead with officials warning there were a number of casualties. Several of them were taken to hospital.

The trust which runs the school whose pupils were on the coach that crashed near Minehead, Somerset, has said it is working closely with the emergency services.

In a statement, Beacon Education Multi-Academy Trust, 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.”

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