10-Year-Old Boy Dies in School Coach Crash, Six Children Still Hospitalised

A somber cloud has descended upon the community of Minehead, Somerset, following a devastating school coach crash that claimed the life of a 10-year-old boy. The incident, which occurred on Thursday afternoon, July 17, 2025, saw a coach carrying pupils and staff from Minehead Middle School overturn and slide down a 20-foot embankment on the A396 at Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe. As the community grapples with this profound loss, six other children and three adults remain in hospital, some with serious injuries, underscoring the horrific impact of the collision.
The coach, carrying between 60 and 70 pupils and staff, was on its return journey to Minehead Middle School from a school trip to Exmoor Zoo when the tragic incident unfolded. Emergency services were called to the scene at approximately 3:00 PM on Thursday, declaring it a "Major Incident" due to the scale of the casualties and the complexity of the rescue operation. Teams from Avon and Somerset Police, Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, and the South Western Ambulance Service swiftly responded, supported by the National Police Air Service helicopter, as well as Devon Air Ambulance and Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.
The scene of the crash was described as challenging. The vehicle left the roadway, overturned, and came to rest about 20 feet down a steep slope. An off-duty firefighter, who was reportedly traveling behind the coach, was instrumental in commencing immediate efforts to free passengers from the wreckage. This swift action undoubtedly played a crucial role in preventing an even greater tragedy.
On Friday, July 18, Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the heartbreaking news that a 10-year-old boy had died as a result of the collision. While formal identification has not yet been completed, specially trained officers are providing support to his next of kin during this incredibly difficult time. The loss has sent shockwaves through Minehead Middle School and the wider community, with an outpouring of grief and condolences. Tributes have begun to pour in, describing the incident as "heartbreaking and devastating."
Beyond the fatality, the human cost of this accident is significant. A police spokesperson confirmed that six children and three adults remain in hospital. Two of the injured children were airlifted to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, indicating the severity of their injuries. The remaining four children and three adults are being treated in hospitals across Somerset. The condition of the coach driver is reported to be stable, although they also sustained a number of injuries.
The A396 at Cutcombe Hill remains closed as a complex and thorough investigation into the cause of the crash is underway. Police have indicated that the recovery of the vehicle and the collision investigation are intricate processes, and the location of the coach, having slid down an embankment, adds to the challenges. The road is expected to remain closed for a considerable time to allow investigators to meticulously examine the scene.
Minehead Middle School, which educates pupils aged between nine and 14 and was just five days away from the end of term, remained closed on Friday as the school community grapples with the aftermath of the tragedy. Beacon Education Multi-Academy Trust, which oversees the school, released a statement expressing their "deep sadness and heartbreak" at the loss of a pupil and the injuries sustained by others. The emotional toll on the students, staff, and families involved is immense, and support services will be crucial in the coming days and weeks.
Local Member of Parliament for Tiverton and Minehead, Rachel Gilmour, commented on the treacherous nature of the road where the accident occurred. She described it as "very difficult to manoeuvre," highlighting the "really windy" road with "very steep dips on either side" as it comes out of Wheddon Cross and dips down into Timberscombe. Such observations may form part of the wider investigation into potential contributing factors of the crash.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with road travel, even for seemingly routine journeys like school trips. The focus now turns to supporting the grieving family of the young boy who lost his life, ensuring the best possible care for those still recovering in hospital, and conducting a comprehensive investigation to understand precisely what led to this devastating accident. The community of Minehead faces a period of mourning and healing, united in their grief and in their hope for the recovery of those injured.
Source@BBC