Minehead bus crash: School to reopen for first time since fatal bus crash which killed boy

Minehead Middle School has issued an update three days after one of it's pupils sadly died in a bus crash.

Somerset is set to reopen today, following a tragic bus crash that resulted in the death of one pupil and injuries to others.

The school was forced to close its doors on Friday after a bus carrying between 60 and 70 pupils and staff members crashed on Thursday afternoon. The group was returning from a trip to Exmoor Zoo when the incident occurred.

A 10 year old boy tragically lost his life in the accident, while six children and three adults remain hospitalised. The bus veered off the A396 at Cutcombe Hill near Minehead, overturning and coming to a halt some 20ft from the road down a steep slope. The crash took place between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe, around 3.15pm.

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An off-duty firefighter travelling behind the coach was able to start freeing passengers immediately. Recovery of the vehicle and the investigation are complex, and according to the PA news agency, the road will remain closed until the beginning of next week.

A stream of people visited the school, which has pupils aged between nine and 14, on Friday to pay respects and leave tributes at the gates after the crash. The school was closed, but people left floral tributes and messages at the gates. Many were visibly upset and were hugging and supporting each other.

After the incident, the school's headteacher, Laura Mackie, spoke of the "unimaginable" loss. "Just complete devastation, complete heartbreak for our whole school community," she said, trying to hold back tears. "We're thinking of the student that we lost, their family, their friends, all of their loved ones.

"I'm thinking of my staff team, who are amazing, dedicated. And all of our wonderful students who have been impacted and affected by this." Speaking outside the school gates on Friday, the Rev Philip Butcher, the vicar of Minehead, said the community was in shock.

He said: "It was absolutely numbing, there are no words to describe what happened yesterday. It's an absolute tragedy, and one that's still very much unfolding. We're just standing firm with the school, with the families at this time, just to be with them in this time as a point of support."

A resident in west Somerset organised a GoFundMe for those affected, which has raised more than £21,700 in around a day. A separate fundraiser created to give money to the school has so far raised £1,955. And a third general GoFundMe page to help both families and the school has raised £12,500 so far.

A representative for Beacon Education Multi-Academy Trust, which operates the school, confirmed to PA it would be reopening on today (July 21).