The school have respectfully asked the media not to attend the site during school hours tomorrow, so staff can provide the children with a degree of normality in what remain very difficult and upsetting circumstances.
Current situation regarding A396
- Inspection has been completed – repairs will need to be made to rectify damage caused during the incident and subsequent recovery operation. The team is currently arranging these.
- The road will need to remain closed until the repairs have been completed.
- We will try and update as soon as possible on progress.
Community support
We are continuing to support the educational community include the school, Multi-Academy Trust (Beacon) and other local schools where staff have been supporting with a coordinated plan that considers the needs of impacted children, families, school staff, and the wider community. This includes educational psychologists from both the local authority and the MAT.
We are also working in close liaison with mental health services, family support teams, and the local voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector to ensure the right support is in place over the coming days and through the summer holidays.
This will included dedicated support at summer holiday clubs that are operating in the area.
There has also been additional engagement with the community to seek direct feedback on the type of support it might need in the future and we continue to work with Minehead Eye where officers are available. Sessions over the weekend were very well attended.
Church leaders have been heavily engaged in bringing together the community. The Churches Together service on Sunday 20 July was a poignant moment for the many who attended.
Additionally, we are grateful to Somerset Community Foundation for launching its Together for West Somerset Appeal and for offering to co-ordinate community efforts and donations. We know they will ensure funds swiftly reach those who need immediate help and support our communities in the months and years to come.
The Minehead Community Response Fund will be set up and distributed with guidance from a range of partners, including Somerset Council, Somerset NHS, local schools, National Emergencies Trust, Fundraising Regulator and The Charity Commission.
There’s a link to the appeal here Together for West Somerset Appeal – Somerset Community Foundation
Latest official update from Avon and Somerset Police
Our investigation into the collision on Exmoor last week in which a 10-year-old boy tragically died is continuing this week.
Formal identification has now been completed and we can confirm the victim was Oliver Price. Our thoughts are with his parents and family who have been updated and continue to be supported by a specially-trained officer.
Two children and one adult are currently in hospital in Bristol and two adults are in hospital in Somerset, while a number of children were discharged over the weekend.
Officers from our Serious Collision Investigation Team have been carrying out thorough enquiries to understand the full circumstances of the collision.
The coach, which was transporting pupils and teachers from Minehead Middle School, left the A396 shortly before 3pm on Thursday 17 July. A major incident was declared and a significant emergency service response began.
Despite their best efforts, Oliver was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene. A family liaison officer will continue to keep their parents updated as our investigation progresses.
The coach was recovered on Saturday and will now be subject to a detailed examination over the coming days by experts from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, as part of our usual investigative enquiries.
Officers have also been taking statements from a number of adults who were either on the coach or were travelling in the area at the time as part of their work to establish the full circumstances of the collision.
The examination of the scene has been completed, however the road remains closed while a detailed safety inspection is carried out by Somerset Council.
Neighbourhood officers will be present outside the school over the coming days and anyone with any concerns is welcome to speak to them.
Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington said: “Our thoughts are first and foremost with Oliver’s family at what must be an unimaginably difficult time. We will continue to make sure they’re updated.
“Our investigation is now well underway with officers working tirelessly to find out what caused it. This work is likely to take some time and we would for patience while these enquiries take place.
“Over the last few days we have been working closely with our partner agencies and the school to ensure support is in place for anyone who might need it.
“We are extremely grateful for all the support that’s been received locally. This clearly shows how special and close-knit this community is.
“I would like to also thank all the emergency services and voluntary groups who responded for their support as well as everyone in our hospitals who continue to help those who were injured.”
Anyone who witnessed the collision or who has any information they think could be of relevance to our investigation should call 101, giving the call handler the reference number 5225201782.
Kind regards,
Andy Doyle
(He/Him)
Communications
Community, Place & Economy
Somerset Council
07977 413530
Timberscombe 