Alan Jones, a local horse trainer living just yards from the site of a tragic bus crash near Minehead, played a crucial role in helping victims escape the wreckage. Within minutes of the accident on the A396 Cutcombe Hill, he was on the scene, using his quad bike to shuttle eight injured passengers to safety.
Mr. Jones, who runs an equestrian business nearby, arrived at the crash site about 10 minutes after it happened. He transported four adults and four children—including two teachers and several pupils—from the roadside to the Rest and Be Thankful Inn in Wheddon Cross, which served as an emergency treatment hub.
The collision sadly claimed the life of a 10-year-old boy, confirmed by Avon and Somerset Police. Four adults and three children remain hospitalized, with the bus driver also reported injured by coach firm Ridlers.
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An off-duty firefighter traveling behind the bus initially helped pull victims to safety. Mr. Jones joined the rescue effort, driven by the urgent need to care for those injured. He recounted, “We were exercising horses when three helicopters flew overhead. I went down on my quad bike to help. There were many people already around the bus, and injured women and children sitting by the roadside.”
Despite difficult conditions, Mr. Jones managed multiple trips—carefully carrying those with injuries, including one woman with a broken elbow and another with facial wounds. “I took them up to the pub where they received first aid, then returned for others. In total, I carried eight people on my quad,” he said.
He also highlighted concerns about road safety, noting the steep slope of Cutcombe Hill and absence of protective crash barriers. “The road was resurfaced recently, making it faster, but no railings. Vehicles build up so much momentum going down, it’s dangerous,” Mr. Jones explained.
The emergency response was extensive, with 20 double-crewed ambulances and three air ambulances attending the scene. Mr. Jones described the aftermath vividly: “It looked like a bomb had gone off—children barefoot, bleeding, and chaos everywhere. The pub became a disaster response center, offering water and refuge.”
Reflecting on the harrowing experience, he remarked on the courage and quick thinking required. “When you see children in danger, you find strength you didn’t know you had. It could have been anyone’s children.”
The community rallied impressively, with local resident Eric Norman providing immediate support by opening the pub and supplying refreshments. Mr. Jones expressed gratitude for the collective effort, praising how the village “really stood up” in a time of crisis.