Summary

  • 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

Live Reporting

Edited by Chris Kelly and Steve Mellen, with Chris Lockyer and Ross Pollard reporting from Exmoor

  1. Pub 'acting as emergency centre'

    A nearby pub is acting as an emergency centre for the incident.

    The Rest and Be Thankful in Wheddon Cross is supporting emergency services.

  2. Police ask drivers to avoid the scene

    The bus left the road near the junction with Ashwell Lane and Steart Lane.

    Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement: "Emergency services have well-rehearsed plans for responding to such incidents.

    "We'd please ask people to avoid the area to allow emergency responders to access the scene."

    Drivers have been asked to avoid the site of the accident on the A396 Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe.

  3. Ambulance service at the scene

    The South Western Ambulance Service (SWAST) said on Facebook said it was attending the crash and described the vehicle involved as a coach.

    It advised people to avoid the A396 between Wheddon Cross and Dunster and said it would share updates by social media.

  4. Emergency services responding to bus crash

    Firefighters are trying to free passengers trapped on a bus that left the road on Exmoor.

    Emergency services were called to the village of Wheddon Cross, near Minehead in Somerset, at about 15:00 BST on Thursday, Avon and Somerset Police said.

    Most of the passengers have now been taken off the bus and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service are now working to free the remaining occupants.

    South Western Ambulance Service are also on the scene but there is no information on the number of casualties or the level of injuries at this stage, police said.