Police in Somerset closed the A396 for nearly eight hours on November 5 to carry out a partial reconstruction of the fatal school bus crash that occurred over the summer. The closure between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe was requested to assist investigators in understanding the circumstances surrounding the tragedy on July 17.
The incident involved a coach carrying between 60 and 70 passengers that overturned and slid down a 20-foot embankment near Minehead. The vehicle was returning from Exmoor Zoo to Minehead Middle School when it left the A396 at Cutcombe Hill. Among those injured, ten-year-old Oliver Price suffered a fatal head injury and died at the scene.
Avon and Somerset Police stated that the reconstruction used a similar coach to replicate the original journey. They informed Oliver’s family beforehand and continue to provide them with support as the investigation progresses.
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According to the police, the road closure and reconstruction are crucial steps to “obtain clear answers and provide clarity” for everyone affected by the crash. Such reconstructions are standard practice in serious collision investigations, designed to accurately determine the sequence of events and contributing factors.
The full inquest into Oliver Price’s death is scheduled to resume on January 14, 2026, with a one-day hearing that will gather testimonies from adult passengers, witnesses, the coach driver, and specialist collision experts.