Pupil Dies After Being Hit by School Minibus
At 15:05 on 10 December 2014, 15-year-old Ashley Daniel Talbot was struck by a minibus, which was on its way to a rugby game, in the grounds of Maesteg School, near Bridgend, south Wales.
He was pronounced dead and another pupil, 13, received minor injuries following the incident which occured shortly after the end of school.
Although the precise circumstances of the incident were not known at the time of publication, due consideration for the driving of any vehicle through school grounds at the start or end of school while a multitude of students is entering or leaving is always an essential part of safety preparation and should be part of a traffic management risk assessment which all staff who drive must adhere to.
South Wales Police officers attended the school to speak to witnesses before lessons began the following morning, while the school was co-operating with both the police investigation and the Health and Safety Executive, which had been informed about the incident.
Ashley's family are being supported by specially trained officers, a police statement said.
Head teacher Anne Carhart said the tragedy had rocked the school, and a crisis team of counsellors, educational psychologists and youth workers were helping pupils. In a statement, she said: "The loss of a pupil is always a sad affair, but especially so when it involves such sudden and tragic circumstances. Ashley Talbot was a popular child with lots of friends.
Chairman of governors, Keith Edwards said the teacher involved is 'quite devastated'. He said, "Maesteg Comprehensive School has always been a strong, close-knit community, and pupils, teachers, staff and governors are all supporting one another in the wake of yesterday's tragic accident.
"As ever, the welfare and well-being of our pupils remains our primary concern, and a range of support services have been put in place to ensure that their needs are being met."
Mr Edwards said a member of staff was driving the minibus and was heading for a rugby match when the crash happened.
Calling the incident a "deep tragedy", MP for Ogmore Huw Irranca-Davies said on Thursday it was "doubly tragic that someone so young has been snatched away". He added: "It's hard to imagine the deep grieving of the family of this young man. It's going to take a lot to get through this."
Ashley's classmates wrote a touching tribute to him:
"The gap that Ashley leaves can never be filled. Every morning Ashley would make us smile; his bubbly personality was infectious.
"Ashley was so carefree and would always make us laugh. He was always good company and such a good friend to everyone who knew him.
"He was passionate about his motorbike and fixing cars. Ashley always looked for the good in everyone.
"He will always be in our hearts. He will never be forgotten."
