Churches in Minehead, Somerset, are offering prayer and pastoral care after a serious bus crash that killed a 10-year-old boy an several people injured.
Tommy Pratt, a trainee minister at Minehead Baptist Church, told Premier Christian News the incident has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community.
“Minehead is a very tiny community... so this event is definitely something that's being felt by everyone," he said. "It was very, very soon after it happened that I started getting phone calls and messages from people saying, ‘We need to pray.’ We heard from staff at the school who are part of our church. Everyone heard about it quickly, and we’re all still processing it.”
Avon and Somerset Police said the bus was carrying 60-70 people and was heading to Minehead Middle School at the time of the crash. It came off the road on its way back from a trip to the zoo on Thursday. Six children and three adults were reported to be still in hospital on Saturday.
Since the crash, churches across Minehead have come together to support those affected. Pratt said Minehead Baptist Church, along with others, has been focused on offering places where people can grieve, reflect and receive prayer.
“As part of the wider capital C Church in Minehead, we've been trying to offer a pastoral response — places and spaces where people can process what they're going through. If they need prayer, if they want anyone to talk to, we’re here. I'm currently at The Hub, our outreach café, and we’ve opened it up as a free space for parents in the community to just come in if they want to. We’ve got ministers and church members here if anyone wants to talk.”
Church leaders have also been coordinating with each other to consider how they can support the local school, including offering prayer and being a pastoral presence on-site if needed.
Pratt said the people involved in the crash are well known in the town and within the church community, which has made the impact even more personal. “People are concerned. People are asking, ‘Why has this happened?’ and they’re really worried for the well-being of those who’ve been seriously hurt. But there’s also a strong sense of community here — everyone wants to help, everyone wants to support one another.”
Looking ahead to Sunday, Tommy encouraged believers to pray for Minehead, as churches prepare to create space for lament.
“Pray that God’s blessing and peace will be amongst everyone in Minehead that’s affected. A lot of the churches will be holding different services where there’ll be a space to lament, to grieve, to process these things. In a culture where we’re often told to put on a smile and be positive, this is one of those times where that’s absolutely not appropriate.”
He added: “Please pray for the response of the church — that it would help convey the peace and blessing of God to those who need it. And absolutely be praying for the children and school staff who’ve been affected, whether physically, mentally or emotionally, for those who are in hospital, and for the medical staff, counsellors, ministers and others who are caring for them.”
Despite the pain, Tommy said he’s been encouraged by how the community has come together.
“Even though we’re still processing everything, it’s been so encouraging to see the response of everyone in Minehead — people have really stepped up to help and support those who are struggling. It’s been a real encouragement to me in the midst of something that’s really, really intense and unpleasant.”
As of Saturday, more than £15,000 had been raised to support families affected by the tragic school bus crash.
In the wake of the tragedy, a local resident, Bobbie Rammond, set up a GoFundMe page to help those impacted. Rammond, a business owner and father of two, said he was moved to act despite having no direct connection to the families involved.
