Minehead bus crash schoolboy victim named after zoo trip coach 'overturned'

THE 10-year-old boy who died in a bus crash near Minehead last week has been named.

Tragic Oliver Price died after the coach he was on went off the road and down a slope in rural Somerset on Thursday. Up to 70 people - children and adults travelling to Minehead Middle School - were understood to have been on the coach as it was returning from a trip to the zoo.

The school became a shrine to the victims on Friday as hundreds of bouquets of flowers were left as a whole community gathered to grieve outside the school gates. Dozens of children, some of who were on the crashed coach, arrived alongside their mums, dads, grandparents.

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Locals were seen crying as they laid flowers on the gates of the school. Outside the school cards, flowers and cuddly toyslined the street outside the school as the community rallied together to show support.

One card read: “Oliver RIP. We sure are going to miss your infectious smile. Shine bright angel. Thinking of your family, much love.” One family left a small blue cuddly toy of a seal with a tag around its neck which said: “Dear friend.

“Nothing you ever done in the world would lead you to deserve this. I love performing in The Regal (a local theatre) and will dedicate all my shows to you”

Another simply read: “Gone too soon”. One card says: “Thinking of everyone at this heart breaking and devastating time.

“Our community is holding you all tight and surrounding you with love.”

Another read: “Our hearts are broken but we stand strong to support you at this most difficult time. RIP little one, fly high with the angels.”

Two children and one adult remain in hospital in Bristol and two adults are in hospital in Somerset, while a number of children were discharged over the weekend.

Officers from our Serious Collision Investigation Team have been carrying out thorough enquiries to understand the full circumstances of the collision. The coach, which was transporting pupils and teachers from Minehead Middle School, left the A396 shortly before 3pm on Thursday 17 July.

A major incident was declared and a significant emergency response began with helicopters ambulances and fire engines.

A local horse trainer even came to the rescue ferrying dazed children away on his quad bike.

But sadly despite all their efforts, Oliver was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene.

The coach was recovered on Saturday and will now be subject to a detailed examination over the coming days by experts, as part of our usual investigative enquiries.

The examination of the scene has been completed, however the road remains closed while a detailed safety inspection is carried out by Somerset Council.

Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington said: “Our thoughts are first and foremost with Oliver’s family at what must be an unimaginably difficult time. We will continue to make sure they’re updated.

“Our investigation is now well underway with officers working tirelessly to find out what caused it. This work is likely to take some time and we’re asking for patience while these enquiries take place.”

Anyone who witnessed the collision or who has any information they think could be of relevance to our investigation should call 101, giving the call handler the reference number 5225201782.