Schoolchildren injured after bus carrying 70 back from zoo trip falls down slope

Schoolchildren have been injured after the coach carrying them home from a trip to the zoo fell down a slope, according to witnesses.

The A396 is closed in both directions near Wheddon Cross, Somerset with fire, police and more than six ambulances all on scene.

The 70-seater vehicle was taking pupils back to Minehead Middle School when the coach left the road.

A person resident who lives near the crash scene has described the incident as ‘horrendous’.

The resident, who asked not to be named, told the PA news agency: ‘The coach has gone down the slope. It’s pretty steep around here and it’s a big coach.

‘There are no barriers along there or anything. We’re used to it, you don’t even notice it.

They added: ‘I can’t believe it happened quite honestly, it’s the biggest thing I have known to go over the slope.

‘It’s horrendous, and I’m just so sorry for all those kids on that coach.’

The distressed parents of the children have been asked to meet at the school.

Avon and Somerset Police declared a major incident, saying: ‘We understand the coach was carrying approximately 60-70 people and was heading to Minehead Middle School at the time.

‘We can confirm a number of casualties have been conveyed to hospital.

‘The large majority of passengers have been taken to a rest centre in Wheddon Cross and we are working with the school to help them return at the earliest opportunity.

‘Officers are at the school to help with that process, and we would ask any parents to please head there.’

Peter Prior-Sankey, director of coach company Ridlers, said the crash happened at 3.15pm on Thursday.

‘We have since been liaising with both the school and the emergency services, while we try to understand the extent of the incident. Everyone within the Ridlers team is, of course, deeply concerned and anxious to find out more details, particularly concerning the welfare of the driver and passengers.

‘While we wait for further information from police and other emergency teams, our hearts, of course, go out to the school pupils and to our driver. We will be doing everything possible to understand what has happened.’

Metro contacted a local pub, The Rest and Be Thankful, near Exmoor, which is working as an emergency centre for the crash. They declined to comment on the situation ‘while there are injured people’.

South Western Ambulance Service said they are responding to the scene. The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance left and landed in Bristol.

MP Rachel Gilmour said: ‘I have heard news about a distressing road traffic incident around Wheddon Cross this afternoon.

‘Emergency services are present, so please give them space to work. My thoughts are with all involved in the incident.’

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