Minehead Mourns the Loss of 10-Year-Old Oliver Price Following Tragic School Bus Crash

Minehead Mourns the Loss of 10-Year-Old Oliver Price Following Tragic School Bus Crash

Minehead, Somerset – A wave of profound grief has swept across the close-knit community of Minehead in the wake of an unimaginable tragedy. Ten-year-old Oliver Price, a bright, joyful, and deeply cherished pupil at Minehead Middle School, tragically lost his life in a devastating school bus crash near Cutcombe Hill last Thursday, July 17th.

The accident occurred in the afternoon as the school bus, carrying between 60 and 70 students and staff, was returning from a trip to the picturesque Exmoor countryside—an outing meant to be a day of exploration, bonding, and learning. As the coach made its way along the winding A396 near Cutcombe Hill, it suddenly left the road, overturned, and plunged approximately 20 feet down a steep embankment. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by Avon and Somerset Police.

Emergency services, including paramedics, firefighters, and police, arrived at the scene swiftly and worked tirelessly under extremely challenging conditions to rescue those onboard. Many of the students sustained injuries—some serious, others minor—but tragically, despite the heroic efforts of first responders, Oliver was pronounced dead at the scene. He was the sole fatality in what authorities have described as one of the most harrowing local incidents in recent memory.

In a statement released by Avon and Somerset Police, officials confirmed:

“We are deeply saddened to confirm that a 10-year-old boy, Oliver Price, was tragically killed in Thursday’s school bus crash near Minehead. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, schoolmates, and all who knew him. Specialist officers are supporting the family at this extremely difficult time.”

Oliver was described by teachers and classmates as a bright spark, full of life and laughter, with a passion for animals and the outdoors. Known for his curiosity and gentle spirit, he was the kind of child who made friends easily and brought smiles to those around him. He loved exploring nature, playing football during school breaks, and spending time with his younger sister, whom he adored.

Minehead Middle School issued an emotional tribute on its website and through a letter sent home to parents, writing:

“Oliver was a treasured member of our school family. His kindness, enthusiasm, and warm-heartedness touched everyone he met. We are devastated by this loss and will be offering counselling and support to our students and staff as we begin to process this tragedy together. Our hearts go out to Oliver’s family.”

The school has opened a Book of Remembrance in its main hall, where fellow pupils, staff, and community members have been leaving heartfelt notes, flowers, and drawings in memory of Oliver. A candlelight vigil is also being planned by local residents to honor his life and offer collective support to his grieving family.

Many parents in the area have expressed sorrow and concern, with one mother, whose child was also on the bus, stating:

“It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. I cannot begin to imagine what Oliver’s family is going through. We’re heartbroken and just so thankful for all the lives that were saved—but so deeply sad for the one that was lost.”

The town of Minehead, known for its strong community spirit and sense of togetherness, is now uniting in shared sorrow, offering prayers, support, and solidarity to the Price family during this time of unimaginable loss.

As investigations into the crash continue, the focus remains on providing emotional and psychological support to the young survivors and their families, and on honoring the memory of a young boy whose life, though tragically brief, left a lasting impact on all who knew him.

Rest in peace, dear Oliver Price. Your light will forever shine in the hearts of the Minehead community. 🕊️💔