One Child Killed in UK School Bus Crash

Tragic School Bus Collision in Somerset Claims One Child's Life

Overview of the Incident

LONDON (Reuters) -British police said on Thursday one child was killed and at least two others seriously injured after a collision involving a bus carrying school children in Somerset, southwest England.

Details of the Collision

Avon and Somerset Police said the bus was carrying 60-70 people and was heading to Minehead Middle School at the time of the crash.

Emergency Response

A number of people were seriously injured, including two children who were taken to hospital by air ambulance, Chief Superintendent Mark Edgington told reporters.

Reactions from Officials

Police declared the collision a major incident, meaning an event with serious consequences requiring special arrangements from emergency services.

Fire crews had earlier rescued people trapped in the bus in what was a "complex and technically difficult incident", Chief Fire Officer for the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Gavin Ellis, said.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the incident was "heartbreaking."

"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," he wrote on X.

(Reporting by Sachin Ravikumar; Editing by Franklin Paul and Sandra Maler)