Floral tributes have been left outside a school attended by a child who died in a coach crash in Somerset on the way home from a trip to the zoo.
Twenty-one passengers were taken to hospital, some with serious injuries, when the coach flipped on to its roof and plunged down an embankment in Exmoor on Thursday afternoon on its way back to Minehead middle school.
The driver of the coach, which was carrying 60 to 70 people, is in hospital injured but in a stable condition, while school routes run by the coach company have been suspended. It is understood the children were divided between two coaches, with the first to leave the zoo making it back safely.
Six schools, including Minehead middle school, which are all part of Beacon Education multi-academy trust, were closed on Friday as the community dealt with the aftermath of the crash that occurred between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe.
Keir Starmer paid tribute on social media. Posting on X, he said: “A heartbreaking update on the school bus crash in Somerset. There are no adequate words to acknowledge the death of a child. All my thoughts are with their parents, family and friends, and all those affected.”
A steady stream of people have been laying flowers outside Minehead middle school, along the railing on Townsend Road.
Staff from nearby Old Cleeve preschool wrote: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this tragic incident.”
Another said: “Thinking of everyone at this heartbreaking and devastating time. Our community is holding you all tight and surrounding you with love.”
A message from Minehead town council said: ‘We share your sorrow.’ Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA Media
Speaking outside Minehead middle school, the Rev Philip Butcher, the vicar of Minehead, said: “It was absolutely numbing. There are no words to describe what happened yesterday. 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 in this time as a point of support.”
The director of Ridlers Coaches, Peter Prior-Sankey, confirmed that the driver was in a stable condition in hospital but with a number of injuries.
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“We are in contact with his wife and family and have offered ongoing support,” he said.
Prior-Sankey said a decision had been made not to run any school routes into Minehead, and that discussions would continue over the coming days concerning any other affected routes or contracts.
A statement from Exmoor zoo said: “We cannot believe that fate has been so cruel to such a lovely, lively, well-behaved group of children from Minehead middle school on their way home with their coach. All our thoughts, blessings and prayers go out to everybody involved. We cannot comprehend what the children, their families, teachers and emergency crews are all going through now.”
Avon and Somerset police said an investigation into the cause of the incident would be carried out and has asked for witnesses to contact 101.
