AN investigation into the cause of last week’s fatal Minehead Middle School coach crash was progressing ‘at pace’, police said on Thursday (July 24).

An Avon and Somerset Constabulary spokesperson said the wrecked coach had been recovered and was ‘now subject to a painstaking forensic examination by experts’.

Also on Thursday, an inquest was by Somerset assistant coroner Vanessa McKinlay into the death of 10-year-old Oliver Price.

Ms McKinlay heard the emergency services found Oliver in his seat on the coach wearing his seatbelt.

He had suffered a head injury and was identified to police by his father Matthew Price who attended the scene.

Ms McKinlay offered her condolences to Oliver’s family and adjourned the proceedings until January 14 next year, when she said there would be a full look at the circumstances of the day and how the coach came to leave the A396 Cutcombe Hill and turn on its roof and slide 20 feet down a wooded embankment.

The crash saw 21 other people hospitalised, of whom two children and an adult remained in a trauma unit in Bristol, with the others discharged earlier in the week.

The police spokesperson said all lines of inquiry were being followed in the investigation and and open mind was being kept while the available evidence was gathered.

They said it was a challenging process due to the steeply sloping nature of the crash scene, woodland, and undergrowth.

The spokesperson said: “We have also taken several witness statements.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Oliver and a dedicated family liaison officer is available to them.

“The neighbourhood policing team continues to offer support to the community, working with partners including schools and the local authority.”

The A396 has been closed all week but was expected to reopen on Friday.

Somerset Council said it was continuing to support the educational community, including the middle school, Beacon Education Trust, and other local schools with a co-ordinated plan which considered the needs of impacted children, families, staff, and the wider community.

A council spokesperson said: “This includes educational psychologists from both the local authority and the trust.

“We are also working in close liaison with mental health services, family support teams, and the local voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise sector to ensure the right support is in place over the coming days and through the summer holidays.

“This will include dedicated support at summer holiday clubs that are operating in the area.

“There has also been additional engagement with the community to seek direct feedback on the type of support it might need in the future, and we continue to work with Minehead Eye, where officers are available.”

The council said it was also grateful to Somerset Community Foundation for launching its Together for West Somerset Appeal and for offering to co-ordinate community efforts and donations.

The spokesperson said: “We know they will ensure funds swiftly reach those who need immediate help and support our communities in the months and years to come.”