Fatal A396 Somerset coach crash reconstruction carried out by police

Police investigating a fatal school coach crash have conducted a partial reconstruction to help them work out the circumstances which led to the incident.

Oliver Price, 10, died of a head injury when a coach carrying Minehead Middle School pupils left the A396 near Wheddon Cross in Somerset and slid down a 6m (20ft) slope on 17 July.

Avon and Somerset Police requested a temporary road closure yesterday to carry out investigation work at the scene. They said the reconstruction involved the “driving of a similar coach” along the route.

“We informed Oliver’s family in advance of this reconstruction and continue to support them throughout our enquiries,” the police said.

In a statement, the force said the necessary road closure and reconstruction would mean investigators were “better equipped to obtain clear answers and provide clarity of all parties affected” by the crash.

“This step is a part of the investigative process, and is a common practice in many serious collisions, aimed at accurately determining a sequence of events and factors involved in the collision,” they said.

The coach was carrying up to 70 people back from a school trip to Exmoor Zoo when it overturned.

A huge emergency services presence descended on the area, including a number of air ambulances to transport those most seriously injured.

In total, 21 people were taken to hospital afterwards, police said.

A full inquest is set to take place on 14 January to look into how Oliver died.

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.