Avon and Somerset Police Commissioner Clare Moody described the news of the crash as "heartrending", adding: "It's awful to contemplate what the children on the coach went through and what their families have been going through since then."

Describing the emergency service response, she said work was carried out "in very difficult circumstances" - both due to the nature of the landscape and the fact they were treating children.

"It was an incredible job and they worked really well together with the task in front of them," she said.

Image source, Avon & Somerset Police

Speaking to BBC Radio Somerset, Somerset Council leader Bill Revans said he had done "countless school trips" when he worked as a teacher.

"You go through all those safety protocols and this is why, [so] that when tragedy happens you try to minimise the impact of it," he said.

He praised the community response, including the work of an off-duty firefighter who was driving behind the bus and helped in the aftermath of the crash.

"It just shows in the darkest of times, the folk of Somerset come together and support each other," Mr Revans added.

The vicar of Minehead has spoken of the community’s shock following the crash.

Speaking outside Minehead Middle School, Reverend Philip Butcher said: “It was absolutely numbing, there are no words to describe what happened.

“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 at this time as a point of support."

Mr Butcher said everyone in the community was “very, very shocked” and said it will "affect people for a long time to come".

“I know this community is so strong that it will be here in all its forms to support everybody fully as far as they need," he added.

Trish Beckett said she made the journey to lay flowers at the school on her way to work as a mark of respect.

Visibly upset, she said: "Having children yourself, it makes you think, makes you want to hold them a little bit closer."

"I heard all the sirens yesterday and I thought something really bad was going on but when I heard it was a school bus, just awful," she told our correspondent Dan Johnson.

On the impact in the community, Ms Beckett said: "I think everyone comes together at a time like this and I think everyone will try to help the family."

Ms Beckett said she knew the road well and described it as dangerous.

"There's some sharp bends, there's no barriers and there's quite a deep incline to the side."

Waren Roland paid his respects at the school gates earlier.

"It's a bit of a shock. I'm a parent myself so I can't imagine what it must feel like," he told our correspondent Dan Johnson.

"We're quite a small little town. We all know each other quite well. It's heartbreaking.

"A sad day. They were only enjoying themselves on a school trip, on the way home back to their families."

Visibly upset, he said he thought of his own children when laying flowers.

"It could have been mine," he said.

Ridlers, the coach company, confirmed two coaches attended the end-of-year school trip.

The first coach to leave the zoo made it back safely, but the second one, which left slightly later, was involved in the crash.

Lianna O'Connor, who we spoke to as she lay flowers outside the school, said there had been a second coach which had made it back to the school, adding those children are "also struggling".

Another parent on Facebook said their daughter had been travelling back from the zoo.

He said: "Her coach didn’t crash but most of her friends was on the one that did. So need to spend time with the family and give her support and attention."

A spokesperson for Exmoor Zoo, which the children had been visiting on a school trip earlier in the day, said they "cannot believe that fate has been so cruel to such a lovely, lively, well behaved group of children".

"All our thoughts, blessings and prayers go out to everybody involved, we cannot comprehend what the children, their parents, teachers and emergency crews are all going through now," they added.

Cards, flowers and cuddly toys are beginning to line the street outside the school as families come down to show their support.

One card reads: "Thinking of everyone at this heart breaking and devastating time. Our community is holding you all tight and surrounding you with love."

One family left a small pink cuddly toy of a dragon with a tag around its neck, which reads: "RIP little one, fly high with the angels."

The team at Old Cleeve Preschool also left a note which read: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this tragic incident."

Mother-of-two Lianna O'Connor spoke to the BBC as she visited the school to lay flowers this morning.

"I think as a community it's just as one mum cries, every other mum cries," she said.

"Everyone knows each other, so everybody is feeling it," she added.

People in the community had been turning their Facebook profile pictures to the school crest, she explained, adding: "It just shows that everybody is here not just for the child that we've lost but everybody that was involved."

Ridlers Coaches director Peter Prior-Sankey has confirmed that the driver is in "a stable condition in hospital".

"We are in contact with his wife and family, and have offered ongoing support," he said.

“Everyone at Ridlers is truly devastated by yesterday’s tragic incident and our thoughts and prayers remain with the pupils, their families, and the school."

Mr Prior-Sankey confirmed he and his team are liaising with Somerset Council.

The company will not run any school routes into Minehead today, and ongoing discussions will be had over the coming days concerning any other affected routes.

He added: “Our thanks go to the incredible emergency service teams for their response, and to those across our local hospitals and community who have done so much for those impacted over the last 24 hours."

A steady stream of people have been laying flowers outside the school.

Staff from Kingsmead School wrote in a card: "Our thoughts are with all the children, parents, staff and transport. Thinking of you at this difficult time"

Another resident wrote in a card: "Our hearts are broken, but we stand strong to support you at this most difficult time."

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

A spokesperson for Beacon Education Multi-Academy Trust, which runs Minehead Middle School, asked people to respect pupils and their families' privacy.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and all those affected by this terrible accident,” they said.

“Our entire school community are devastated by this news, and we will do everything we can to support everyone affected.”

They continued: “We are working closely with the emergency services and relevant authorities, and we will support our pupils, staff, and families at this incredibly difficult time.

“We kindly ask that the privacy of the families and our school community is respected at this time.”

Cindy Fouracre, whose two grandchildren attend Minehead Middle School, told BBC Radio Somerset: "Your heart goes out to all the families, the coach driver, everybody, because you just don't expect things like this to happen, do you?

"They go out for a lovely day with the school, they're excited and then this is how it happens at the end of the day."

Six schools, including Minehead Middle School, will be closed on Friday as the community deals with the aftermath of Thursday's incident.

A letter sent to parents said the crash had "a very significant impact on our children, families and staff".

Here's a list of the schools that are closed, all of which are part of Beacon Education Multi-Academy Trust:

• Minehead Middle School
• Danesfield Church of England Voluntary Controlled Community Middle School
• Old Cleeve Church of England First School
• St Peter's Church of England First School
• Minehead First School
• St Michael's Church of England First School

Dan Johnson
West of England correspondent

We've heard from the stepfather of one girl who was on the coach.

He didn't want to appear on camera, he was very upset, but he said his stepdaughter had lost her fingers in this incident, so it gives you an idea of just how seriously injured some of the children have been.

One of the teachers has posted on Facebook saying: "My amazing students, I couldn't be prouder of you all and how incredibly brave you've been.

"You looked after each other in what was a life-changing event, we will get through this together. I feel so lucky to be your teacher."

Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, told BBC Breakfast she travels on the A396 "every day".

She said: "It's a very difficult road, very steep, very windy, and it's just the nature of rural roads in my constituency."

She has yet to receive further updates from police about the incident, but said: "I think the most important thing is what an amazing job the emergency services did yesterday.

"I've been told up to 20 ambulances went to the scene, three air ambulances, obviously paramedics, police, fireman.

"[I'm] just deeply grateful to our emergency services and just heartbroken for the parents and the school and the wider family."

Somerset Council leader Bill Revans said he was "absolutely heartbroken" about the news.

"It must be the most heartbreaking thing for any parent to see their child off to school and not return in the evening," he said.

He also shared his "sincere thanks" to the emergency services, local hospitals and the wider community who responded in the wake of the incident, as well as to the school staff who he said would be "hugely impacted".

"What a tragic day," he added.

Several bouquets have been left outside Minehead Middle School this morning.

Here's a summary of everything we know so far:

• Police have confirmed that one child has died following the incident at about 15:00 BST on Thursday
• Two children have been seriously injured, and 19 others were taken to hospital
• The coach, which was bringing Minehead Middle School pupils back from an end-of-term school trip to the zoo, was carrying about 70 people at the time of the incident
• The A396 at Cutcombe Hill remains closed for police investigation work

We have been told this morning by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service that firefighters freed seven passengers who were trapped in the coach after it left the road.

At the height of the incident, about 60 firefighters were at the crash scene.

We also heard that an off-duty firefighter who was travelling behind the coach was able to help passengers before emergency services arrived.