Child killed in Somerset coach crash

ODN

A child has died after a school coach carrying children and staff from a day trip crashed in Somerset. The coach was carrying 60-70 passengers and was heading back to a nearby middle school in Minehead. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Transcript

00:00Shortly before 3pm this afternoon, emergency services were called to a collision involving

00:05a coach on the A396 at Cutcombe Hill in Exmoor. Approximately 60 to 70 people were believed

00:13to be on board at the time. A major incident was declared with police, fire and ambulance

00:19services dispatching crews to the scene. The coach was carrying a number of adults and

00:24children to Minehead Middle School when it overturned. We can confirm tonight that one

00:30child has sadly died. A formal identification process will need to be carried out but our

00:36thoughts and sympathies are with their family who are in contact with at this time and specially

00:42trained officers are with them to provide support. A number of other people have presented or been

00:48taken to hospital, some with serious injuries. This includes two children who were taken to

00:54hospital by air ambulance. Many passengers either sustained minor injuries or were physically

01:01unharmed and were transferred to a rest centre. Work to help them return to Minehead has been

01:06taking place throughout the evening. An investigation into the cause of this incident will be carried out

01:13and we please ask any witnesses to please call 101. We would please ask people to avoid speculation

01:20around the circumstances at this time out of respect for the families, staff and the driver who will

01:26all be deeply affected by this collision as it is only is and is only likely to add to their distress.

01:33This has been an incredibly challenging scene for all emergency services and we are grateful for

01:38people's patience while we have worked together to rescue, treat and support those involved.

01:45Today's events are truly tragic. We know the whole community and the wider area will be utterly

01:52devastated to learn of this news. Our officers will do all they can to help support the community

01:58in the days that followed.

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