Minehead bus crash: Boy, 10, killed named for first time

Police have named a young boy who was killed in a horrific bus crash in Somerset.

Oliver Price died after a school coach returning from a trip to Exmoor Zoo overturned and slid 20ft down an embankment. The 10-year-old was among dozens of children and staff from Minehead Middle School travelling back from the zoo when the vehicle left the A396 at Cutcombe Hill on Thursday afternoon.

The crash left 21 people in hospital, including several with serious injuries, and two children who were airlifted for emergency treatment. Police said the coach overturned and came to rest on its roof after leaving the steep hillside road near Wheddon Cross at about 3.15pm. Minehead Middle School will remain closed on Friday as the community comes to terms with the tragedy.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the news was "heartbreaking", adding: "There are no adequate words to acknowledge the death of a child."

An off-duty firefighter travelling behind the coach helped free passengers before emergency services arrived at the scene.

Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service described the incident as "complex and technically difficult", praising crews for their swift action.

Beacon Education Multi-Academy Trust said staff and pupils were "devastated" by the loss and vowed to support all those affected.

The coach operator, Ridlers, confirmed it was working closely with police and the school, and said the 70-seater vehicle had been returning from an educational visit.

An Avon and Somerset Policespokesman said: "We can confirm tonight that one child has sadly died. A formal identification process will need to be carried out, but our thoughts and sympathies are with their family, who we are in contact with. A specially-trained officer will be providing them with support.

"A number of other people have presented or been taken to hospital, some of them 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 the incident will be carried out and witnesses are being asked to call 101.