More than £12k raised for school coach crash victims

Several fundraisers launched to support families affected by a coach crash which killed a 10-year-old boy have raised more than £40,000.

The community in Minehead, Somerset, has been left devastated by the crash, which happened on the way back from a school trip to Exmoor Zoo.

Six children remain in hospital - two at Bristol Childrens Hospital and four in Somerset. Three adults are also being treated in hospital.

Bobbie Rammond, a resident and small business owner in west Somerset, launched one of the fundraisers on Friday. He said in a statement: "This tragedy has shaken the local community, and like many others, I felt a strong desire to do what I could to help."

Avon and Somerset Police declared a major incident after the single-vehicle collision at Cutcombe Hill near Wheddon Cross at about 15:00 BST on Thursday.

The coach, which was carrying about 70 people, flipped onto its roof and slid down a bank. Many of those on board were pupils from Minehead Middle School.

A former professional jockey who helped teachers and pupils involved in the crash said he "couldnt sleep" after what he had witnessed.

Mr Rammond said the community fund would help support those directly affected by the incident.

"I understand this is a sensitive time, and while the specific use of the fund will be shaped by the needs of those involved, my promise is to ensure it reaches the people who need it most," he said.

"As a father of two young children myself, I can only begin to imagine the pain and heartbreak that so many are experiencing right now."

Mr Rammond said the money would be used to provide urgent help and support for those injured, hospitalised and directly impacted by the crash.

He said it would also help those who needed emotional and psychological help, even if they were not physically harmed in the incident.

PA news agency reported the road where the crash happened would remain closed until the beginning of next week, due to the complexity of the investigation and recovery of the vehicle.

Minehead Middle School, which has pupils aged between nine and 14, was closed on Friday following the crash.

A stream of people visited the school during the day to pay their respects and leave tributes at the gates.

Many were visibly upset and were hugging and supporting each other.

The towns vicar, Reverend Phillip Butcher, said the community had been "absolutely overwhelmed" by support.

"There have been no words really… people have just outpoured their grief, their thoughts, their prayers in so many different ways.

"Its been wonderful to see how people have come together, but in terrible circumstances," he said.

A service will be held at St Andrews Church later to allow people to grieve and reflect on the tragedy.

"We just need to hold each other and somehow, in time, well make sense of this.

"We will get through this, theres no doubt about it... but theres an awfully long way to go," he added.

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