School coach crashes into house

The householders have been offered a hotel for the night

A coach carrying schoolchildren has crashed into a house in Ilminster, Somerset, leaving the property in danger of collapse.

Three of the 25 children received a minor injury but the rest were unhurt, including the driver of the South West coach, police said.

The occupants of the house on Herne Rise also escaped without injury.

A buildings inspector is looking at the property as there is a danger it could collapse when the bus is removed.

Emma Nicholls, who lives at the house, said: "Me and my two daughters were sat having breakfast and then all of a sudden there was this big bang and I realised there was a bus in my hallway."

The bus, carrying 13 to 18 year olds, was on its way to Wadham Community School in Crewkerne.

Deputy Head Matthew Gardner said none of the children needed hospital treatment and all had gone home or were with their parents.

South Somerset District Council's Dawn Haydon said: "The bus has knocked part of the front corner of the house out and has shifted the walls of the property backward by around half an inch."

"It's too early to say what long-term measures will need to be taken.

"The emergency planning team has already made arrangements for a place for the residents to stay today and they have been offered a lift to a local hotel."

Avon and Somerset Police spokesman Steve Game said: "The bus is literally embedded in the house.

"The latest is that the house may possibly have to be demolished."