An off-duty firefighter has been hailed a hero after he helped rescue children from an overturned school bus on the A396 near Minehead. The 70-seater coach was carrying nine and ten-year-old pupils from Minehead Middle School back from a trip to Exmoor Zoo when it crashed on Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe. One child tragically died, and 21 others were taken to hospital.
Gavin Ellis, of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, praised the off-duty firefighter who was driving behind the coach at the time. 'I'm grateful to the off-duty firefighter who was travelling behind the coach at the point of the collision who was able to start taking immediate action to start releasing those casualties from the bus,' he said at a press conference.
Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington of Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the fatality and offered condolences. '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,' he said.
Teachers expressed pride in their pupils' bravery following the incident. One teacher posted on social media: 'My amazing students, I couldn't be prouder of you all and how incredibly brave you've been.' A local volunteer, Jill, chair of Wheddon Cross village hall, described the children as 'in shock beyond belief' and said the community was providing support.
Minehead Town Council said it was 'deeply shocked and saddened' and extended gratitude to emergency services. The incident has prompted a community-wide response, with tributes pouring in from across the region.
