Boy died of head injury in coach crash – inquest

A 10-year-old boy who was killed when a coach carrying schoolchildren crashed died of a head injury, an inquest has heard.

Oliver Price died when a coach carrying Minehead Middle School pupils left the road near Wheddon Cross in Somerset and slid down a 6m (20ft) slope on 17 July.

The children and teachers onboard had been returning from an end-of-year trip to Exmoor Zoo. In total, 21 people were taken to hospital.

An inquest at Wells Coroner's Court heard earlier that Oliver had been found in his seat with his seatbelt on, and was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.

The coach was carrying about 70 people when it left the A396 andoverturned between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombeat about 15:15 BST.

A major incident was declared, with 60 firefighters sent to the scene alongside 20 double-crewed ambulances.

Opening the inquest into Oliver's death, coroner Vanessa McKinlay said his death was confirmed by paramedics at 17:00.

"Oliver was found seated in the coach with his seat belt on," she added.

"At the time of his death he was identified by his father Matthew Price to the police who were in attendance."

Ms McKinlay said the provisional cause of Oliver's death was a head injury, subject to further tests.

A full inquest is set to take place on 14 January next year and will look into the events of the day before the crash, the circumstances in which the coach left the road and Oliver's medical cause of death.

The inquest is due to hear from Oliver's family, adult passengers on the coach, witnesses, the coach driver, emergency service workers and a pathologist.

Oliver's family, the coach driver and the coach operator Ridlers have been named as interested parties in the inquest.

Ms McKinley ended the hearing by offering her condolences to Oliver's family.

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