'We will get through this' - Teacher praises brave pupils after classmate killed in coach crash

A teacher has praised "incredibly brave" pupils for supporting each other after a coach crash killed one of their classmates after a day out at the zoo.

The child, who hasn't yet been named, died yesterday afternoon while the driver remains in a stable condition in hospital.

The coach was travelling to Minehead Middle School - which caters for pupils aged nine to 14 - when it crashed on the A396 in Somerset.

Twenty-one people were taken to hospital, including two children who were flown via air ambulance.

Tributes and dozens of bunches of flowers have already been left at the school gates.

One card left by a local business said they were "truly heartbroken" and "hold you all in our hearts during this time of unimaginable grief".

A teacher from the school also praised the way students are dealing with the tragedy.

"My amazing students, I couldn't be prouder of all of you, how incredibly brave you have been," they wrote on Facebook.

"You have looked after each in what was a life-changing event, we will get through this together.

"I feel so lucky to be your teacher. I am so grateful to my wonderful colleagues during this time who were also fighting to help as many people as we could."

The teacher said emergency services had "saved many lives" and thanked "the brilliant public" who helped in the aftermath.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the crash "heartbreaking" in a post on X.

Devon and Somerset Fire Service called it a "very complex and technically difficult incident" and said the coach had "overturned onto its roof and slid approximately 20ft down an embankment".

Local coach operator Ridlers said the 70-seater vehicle was returning from Exmoor Zoo.

Company boss Peter Prior-Sankey said: "I can confirm that the driver is himself in a stable condition in hospital, but with a number of injuries.

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

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Local MP Rachel Gilmour said the road where the coach crashed is "very difficult to manoeuvre".

"You have a very difficult crossing at Wheddon Cross, and as you come out to dip down into Timbercombe, the road is really windy and there are very steep dips on either side," she told Sky's Anna Botting.

A local, who wanted to stay anonymous, agreed the stretch of road is a potential hazard

They told PA news agency: "The coach has gone down the slope. It's pretty steep around here and it's a big coach.

"There are no barriers along there or anything. We're used to it, you don't even notice it.

"I can't believe it happened, quite honestly, it's the biggest thing I have known to go over the slope.

"It's horrendous, and I'm just so sorry for all those kids on that coach."