Eric Norman, a 74-year-old landlord of a local pub in Wheddon Cross, has been awarded the British Empire Medal in recognition of his selfless assistance to survivors of a tragic coach crash near Minehead in July 2025.
The incident involved a coach carrying up to 70 pupils and staff from Minehead Middle School as they returned from a visit to Exmoor Zoo. The vehicle tragically slid down a 20-foot slope, resulting in the death of 10-year-old Oliver Price and injuries to several other passengers who required hospital treatment.
In the immediate aftermath, Mr Norman opened the doors of his pub to those affected, offering shelter and support to survivors, families, and emergency personnel. Reflecting on the honour, he stated, “I like to think this medal is for the entire community who within half an hour rallied round on that dreadful day and tried to give help where we could. There were many people involved.”
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The award was presented by Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Mohammed Saddiq, at a garden party near Frome. He praised Mr Norman’s exemplary conduct, noting that local leaders had spoken warmly of his crucial role in facilitating the work of emergency responders during a highly pressurised situation.
The British Empire Medal recognises hands-on contributions to local communities, whether through sustained charitable efforts or innovative volunteering. Mr Norman’s citation highlighted his “instinctive generosity and unwavering support for those children and their families in crisis,” describing his actions as a powerful demonstration of community resilience in emergencies.
Following the tragedy, a police statement conveyed the gratitude of Oliver’s parents, Lucy and Matthew Price, for the overwhelming community support and the commitment of emergency services. They specifically thanked the team at the Rest and Be Thankful pub, acknowledging their immediate and compassionate response in opening their doors without hesitation.
An official investigation into the crash has since resulted in the submission of a file to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration of potential charges.