A HEROIC off-duty firefighter who was driving behind a school bus when it tragically crashed yesterday immediately rushed to help.

One child sadly died and two others suffered serious injuries when the coach veered off the road and slid down a 20ft bank.

Some 21 casualties were taken to hospital by land and air after the accident.

The bus came off the A396 between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe in Somerset shortly before 3pm yesterday.

Emergency crews worked tirelessly to rescue trapped passengers.

The driver of the school coach which crashed is in a stable condition, the bus company’s owner has said.

It later emerged that the off-duty firefighter was travelling behind the coach and was able to start freeing passengers straight away.

Gavin Ellis, Chief Fire Officer for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We were mobilised to a major incident to a coach that had overturned onto its roof and slip approximately 20ft (6.1m) down an embankment.

“I’m grateful to the off-duty firefighter who was travelling behind the coach at the point of the collision who was able to start taking immediate [action] to start releasing those casualties from the bus.”

He added: “Our crews carried out a number of extrications and rescues in extremely difficult circumstances, and he also supported our ambulance colleagues with casualty treatment.

“This was a very complex and technically difficult incident for our crews to deal with, and I’m grateful for the tireless effort and actions of the crews in doing everything they could for those who were trapped as quickly as safely as possible.”

Two people were left seriously injured following the crash, which saw the coach filled with pupils from Minehead Middle School leave the road.

It is thought that the Year Five pupils were returning from a trip to Exmoor Zoo in nearby Devon.

Minehead Middle School’s website states that pupils in that year group (aged nine to 10) were due to visit the zoo as part of the school’s “Enrichment Week” activities.

Three helicopters, deployed by Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Devon Air Ambulance, joined police air crews.

Some casualties were then taken by air ambulance to hospital in Bristol.

Gavin Ellis, the chief fire officer for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said the coach “overturned onto its roof and slid approximately 20ft down an embankment”.

In a press conference outside Minehead Middle School, cops confirmed that they were called at 2.58pm to the “very complex and technically difficult scene”.

Parents – who had been summoned to the school by police – were seen visibly upset as they waited outside the building.

Police confirmed 21 casualties had been rushed to hospital, although the “large majority of passengers” were taken to a rest centre in Wheddon Cross.

Eight fire engines, two specialist rescue appliances and around 60 firefighters were deployed to the scene.

South Western Ambulance Service deployed 20 double crewed ambulances, three air ambulances, a command team and two hazardous area response teams.

Cops estimate around 60 to 70 people were onboard the coach when it left the road.

Ridlers Coaches director Peter Prior-Sankey said in a statement: “Everyone at Ridlers is truly devastated by yesterday’s tragic incident and our thoughts and prayers remain with the pupils, their families, and the school.

“Our thanks go to the incredible emergency service teams for their response, and to those across our local hospitals and community who have done so much for those impacted over the last 24 hours.

“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.”

He added that staff at the company are being supported and he and his team are liaising with Somerset Council

Mr Prior-Sankey said a decision had been made not to run any school routes into Minehead today, and that ongoing discussions will be had over the coming days concerning any other affected routes or contracts.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute after the tragic death of the child, saying: “A heartbreaking update on the school bus crash in Somerset.

“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.

“Thank you to the emergency workers who are responding at pace — I’m being kept up to date on this situation.”