'Amazing' response of locals to fatal coach crash

More than £50,000 has been raised to support crash victims and their families

A man who has raised £30,000 so far for victims of a fatal coach crash has said he has been "overwhelmed" by the response of the local community.

Bobbie Rammond said residents had been "amazing" after a coach carrying pupils from Minehead Middle School in Somerset came off the road on 17 July, flipping onto its roof and sliding down a 20ft slope near the village of Wheddon Cross.

A 10-year-old boy was killed, while two children and two adults – one of whom was the driver – remain in hospital in Bristol and Taunton.

The community fundraisers set up in response have collectively raised more than £50,000 for the victims and their families.

Minehead Middle School has reopened for the final days of term before the summer holidays – with support on hand for students.

Mr Rammond said that there had been a "dark cloud looming" over the area since the crash and that a strong "emotional attachment" to the local community inspired him to act.

He said he would be working with Somerset Community Foundation to help distribute the funds.

Bobbie Rammond set up a fundraiser to help those affected by the crash

Somerset Community Foundation has launched its own appeal following the crash near Wheddon Cross in Somerset.

It said its Together for West Somerset campaign will support those experiencing psychological distress, hardship or injury as a result of the incident.

The foundation's CEO, Justin Sargent, said the donations would allow it to "move really quickly" to start helping families in the coming days.

The road remains closed and a police investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.

An operation to remove the coach was completed on Saturday.