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Somerset coach crash fundraiser reaches more than £15k

The Post Master July 19, 2025 2 min read

Chloe Harcombe

BBC News, West of England

Police confirmed a 10-year-old boy from Minehead Middle School died in the crash

PA Media A group of people standing outside and looking at the line of floral tributes left outside Minehead Middle School. Two children are stood on the left hugging and a woman and a girl are hugging on the right. None of them are looking at the camera. — Police confirmed a 10-year-old boy from Minehead Middle School died in the crash

A fundraiser launched to support families affected by a coach crash which killed a 10-year-old boy has raised more than £20,000.

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 Children’s 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 the fundraiser 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.

Minehead Middle School was closed on Friday

PA Media Minehead Middle School. The building is red and there is a green metal gate at the entrance. The street in front of the school is lined with bouquets of flowers left in memory of a pupil who died. — Minehead Middle School was closed on Friday

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

“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,” Mr Rammond 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,” he added.

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

Groups and families have left tributes and notes at the school

PA Media A handwritten note on a bouquet of flowers. It reads: "From all of us at Young Somerset - our thoughts are with the students, families and teachers. We stand together as a community x" — Groups and families have left tributes and notes at the school

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 the crash happened on 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.

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