Well-wishers have been kindly asked not to leave floral tributes at the site of a fatal coach crash near Minehead following the reopening of the A396 road. The road had been closed since Thursday, July 17, after a bus carrying between 60 and 70 children and staff from Minehead Middle School veered off and fell down a steep bank.
The accident occurred between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe at approximately 3:15 pm. Among the injured, 10-year-old Oliver Price tragically suffered fatal head injuries. Additional passengers sustained injuries, but thankfully many survived. While floral tributes continue to be placed at Minehead Middle School’s gates, Avon and Somerset Police have requested that no flowers be laid at the crash roadside to aid ongoing safety and investigations.
Although the A396 has reopened, one lane remains closed with a temporary 20 mph speed limit in place. Temporary barriers and fencing have been installed to secure the affected area.
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Travel Somerset announced: “Following the incident on July 17, Somerset Council’s Highways Team has reopened the A396 between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe. Temporary measures including traffic signals, lane closure, and barriers remain in place until permanent repairs can be completed. We appreciate travelers’ patience and compliance with the 20 mph speed limit.”
The coach was returning from a school trip to Exmoor Zoo just days before term ended when it left the road, overturned, and came to rest approximately 20 feet down a steep, wooded embankment. An off-duty firefighter who was driving behind the bus promptly assisted in freeing passengers from the wreckage.
On Thursday, July 24, an inquest into Oliver Price’s death was officially opened at Somerset Coroner’s Court in Wells Town Hall. Assistant Coroner Vanessa McKinlay confirmed that Oliver’s death resulted from fatal head injuries sustained during the crash.
“Oliver was a student at Minehead Middle School returning from a trip when the coach left the road and entered a wooded area. He was found seated with his seatbelt fastened,” Ms. McKinlay stated. The inquest will resume on January 14 with testimonies from passengers, witnesses, the coach driver, and collision experts.
The hearing aims to examine the events leading up to the crash, the circumstances causing the coach to leave the road, and Oliver’s medical cause of death. In closing, Ms. McKinlay extended her sincere condolences to Oliver’s family during this difficult time.