Police say one child has died after a coach carrying school pupils crashed on a rural road in Exmoor, Somerset around 15:00 BST
Avon and Somerset Police say between 60 and 70 people were on the coach at the time, which was headed to a school in Minehead
Paramedics say 21 of those on board were taken to hospital for treatment - several had serious injuries, including two children
Most passengers are at a rest centre that has been established at a nearby pub - and parents of the students, who attend Minehead Middle School, are being asked to gather at the school
It is thought the children were returning from a trip to Exmoor Zoo when the bus crashed.
On its website, Minehead Middle School said year five pupils were due to visit the zoo as part of its “Enrichment Week” activities.
Chris Lockyer
BBC News, West of England
At the schools, there are a number a parents deeply upset and distressed, being ushered away by police officers.
There is a row of cars outside the school too, as well as police cars.
Ross Pollard
Somerset Reporter, BBC West
We've only arrived in the past few minutes. The police have closed the road. A lot of people are taking a diversion across other parts of Exmoor.
We've had a statement from police to say a major incident has been declared and emergency services are continuing to work together.
The police say the coach that crashed was carrying 60 to 70 people and was heading to Minehead Middle School at the time.
An air ambulance has landed at the Bristol Royal Infirmary, which is home to the West's major trauma centres.
The majority of the passengers on the bus were taken to a pub in Wheddon Cross which is acting as a rest centre, police said.
Officers are working with Minehead Middle School to help them return to the school as soon as possible, and is asking parents to head to the school.
"The road remains closed. We’d please ask people avoid the area so emergency services’ response to this incident is not impacted," police said.
"We also ask for the public’s patience at this time. This is an ongoing incident and we will provide further updates as soon as they become available."
A major incident has been declared after a coach carrying schoolchildren crashed in Somerset.
The bus was carrying children from Minehead Middle School, Avon and Somerset Police said, and was carrying approximately 60 to 70 people and a number of casualties have been taken to hospital.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is receiving regular updates on the incident.
In a post on X, she said: "I'm aware of the serious incident involving a bus near Minehead, Somerset.
"My thoughts are with all those involved.
"The emergency services are on scene, and I am receiving regular updates on the situation."
Peter Prior-Sankey, director of Ridlers, said: “We were made aware of an incident involving one of our 70-seater vehicles at about 3.15pm this afternoon, understood to have taken place as a group of school pupils were returning from a daytrip.
“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 detail – 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.”
A coach which crashed near Minehead in Somerset earlier on Thursday was bringing children back from a daytrip, the coach operator has said.
Chris Lockyer
BBC News in Wheddon Cross
I’m still here waiting to be allowed towards Wheddon Cross around a mile and a half out. I’ve been stopped by police who say they can’t tell me anything.
Since being here I’ve seen police cars leave and enter the site - marked and unmarked, as well as fire engines, search and rescue, and ambulances leaving the scene.
Lots of traffic is being diverted through the single lanes of Exmoor this evening.
Avon and Somerset Police said at 17:47 BST: "Emergency services remain at the scene in response to this incident.
"We are working closely with ambulance and fire colleagues and will continue to provide updates. The road remains closed and we'd please ask people avoid the area."
The Devon Air Ambulance has left the scene and landed at the Bristol Royal Infirmary.
The bus left the road to the north of the village of Wheddon Cross, which is on the eastern edge of Exmoor.
Chris Lockyer
BBC News in Wheddon Cross
I'm around a mile and a half away from the incident in Wheddon Cross.
On the way in, I saw around half a dozen ambulances coming away from the incident and half a dozen police cars going to the incident.
As I've been parked up, lots more emergency vehicles are being let through the cordon.
Some residents are saying they need to be let through to go home and see their children but at the moment police are holding firm.
The air ambulance for Dorset and Somerset has landed at the Bristol Royal Infirmary, according to its flight path information.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has deployed crews from across the south west to the scene.
Vehicles from Ilfracombe, Tiverton, Witheridge, Middlemoor, Clyst St George, Taunton, Bridgwater, Dulverton, Glastonbury, Minehead and Williton are attending, according to the fire service's website.
Local MP Rachel Gilmour said in a statement on X: "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.
"I advise everyone travelling across Exmoor this afternoon/evening to check their route before beginning their journey."
Our reporter Chris Lockyer is at the police cordon and has sent this photo.
