The principal of Frome College has written to all parents and carers to thank all the local community for their support following a terrible crash close to the school, which saw a coach carrying pupils overturn on the way back from a school trip.

The bus had been returning one of the year groups from a trip to Chepstow . It overturned on Oldford Hill, just by the entrance to College on Bath Road.

The Principal Emma Reynolds wrote: " Staff and students were understandably very shaken by this experience. We are grateful to the emergency services for their swift and professional response last night and we would also like to thank the local community for all their support. We are continuing to support students, parents and the wider school community and would kindly ask that people respect the privacy of pupils and parents at this time. "

Meantime the police have also sent an update praising the courage of all the students, parents and carers and staff .

They also said that the driver of the bus, as a matter of standard procedure, had been tested and found to be negative, for any drugs or alcohol.

They wrote: "Yesterday's collision was a serious incident, which must have been frightening for all involved. I would like to pay tribute to the students, parents/carers and staff for the courage they showed in very distressing circumstances.

As you know, all relevant emergency services attended the scene. Our first priority was to account for everyone on the coach and to provide medical aid to those who needed it. Unfortunately several students were taken to hospital for further assessment and treatment. Our thoughts are with them, and we wish them a speedy recovery.

An investigation has commenced into the circumstances surrounding the collision. We aim to establish how and why the coach left the carriageway. The company which owns the coach, and the driver are assisting us with our enquiries.

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As is standard procedure, the driver was tested for the presence of alcohol and drug use at the scene, and this was negative. He will be interviewed at a later date. The coach itself will be examined by a police vehicle examiner.

It was fitted with a tachograph and this too will be examined. The investigating officer for the collision is PC 4940 Luke Marchant, based on our Roads Policing Unit at Bridgwater. He will keep interested parties updated during the course of the investigation. He can be contacted at [email protected]. Your local Neighbourhood Policing Team, based at Frome Police Station, is also here to support anyone affected by the incident. "