A serious coach crash involving between 60 and 70 passengers occurred on the A396 near Minehead Middle School in Somerset on Thursday, July 17. Emergency services, including Avon and Somerset Police, ambulance, and fire crews, responded to the scene around 3pm after reports that a bus had left the road.
Officials quickly declared a major incident. While most passengers were able to exit the coach safely, fire crews were required to rescue several individuals trapped inside. Multiple people have been taken to local hospitals for treatment.
Beacon Education Multi-Academy Trust, managing the school, issued a statement expressing their support for pupils, families, and staff affected by the crash. They emphasized their close cooperation with emergency services and promised to provide updates as more information becomes available, asking for the community’s patience during this difficult time.
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Those not hospitalized were taken to a rest centre in Wheddon Cross, while parents have been advised to head to the school where police officers are assisting on-site. The A396 remains closed, with authorities urging the public to avoid the area to allow emergency crews to operate efficiently.
Avon and Somerset Police reiterated that the incident response is ongoing and committed to sharing further updates as the situation develops.