Barton girl dies in school trip bus crash in Birmingham

Barton girl dies in school trip bus crash in Birmingham

This is the first picture of Holly Brown, who died today after a minibus carrying children crashed with a bin lorry on the way to a school art trip. 

The 14-year-old, who dreamed of being a ballerina, died and 24 other pupils and teachers from John Taylor High School in Barton under Needwood, Staffordshire were injured in the morning crash.

The crash happened in Kingsbury Road, Birmingham, around 9am, with three teachers and a driver also injured. 

But Holly, who was named locally today, is said to have died at the scene after taking the brunt of the force of the crash, when the bus collided with the 12-ton truck.

Holly’s mother, Sari, 50, a pharmaceutical firm manager from Finland who lives with husband Martin, 51, in Burton upon Trent, was said to be ‘devastated’. 

Holly Brown, pictured a few years ago, has died today after being involved in a bus crash on the way to a school trip

Holly had a twin sister called Emma, but she is not believed to have been on board the coach

Holly had a twin sister called Emma, who is not believed to have been on the coach. 

One mother revealed that her son, who was sitting near Holly, believed the bus driver’s quick thinking prevented more deaths.

He told her all pupils on the 29-seat minibus were wearing seatbelts when the Birmingham council lorry ‘hit it in the middle’.

She added: ‘My son was two seats in front of her â€" it went into that side. He saw it all.

‘The driver fought to save the students with courageous driving skills. He is a hero.

‘The truck went into the side of the minibus. There could have been more casualties, but apparently his skills stopped that.’

One elderly resident, who did not want to be named, said: 'News travels fast around here, and obviously people are very concerned.

'Sari and Martin are crushed by it.

'They were out on the street earlier, hugging and crying.

'It's going to be very hard for Emma to take especially. I can't imagine what it must be like losing a sister.' 

Friends and classmates have been posting tributes to the 14-year-old on social media.

Floral tributes have been left close to the scene of the crash after the tragic news spread today

The bus and lorry involved being removed by recovery vehicles this afternoon after police attended

Tributes have been left to the teenager online, with friends saying they are 'heartbroken' at the news

Hanna Fletcher tweeted: 'Absolutely heartbroken for holly, her family and all the students/staff at JT such a talented girl who was a pleasure to dance with, RIP'

Emily, who used to look after Holly, said: 'I used to babysit Holly & Emma when they were growing up. Can't even begin to imagine how the family must be feeling. RIP beautiful angel'

Alfie Grant, whose sister was also on the coach, posted: 'RIP to Holly who tragically lost her life today, but I'm glad my sister came home unharmed, my thoughts are with her family and friends'

Kay Puffer wrote: 'RIP Holly Brown. Such devastating news. You were such a kind and caring person! Rest in paradise angel you will be missed.' 

School children were on a minibus when it crashed with a bin lorry in Birmingham today, killing one 14-year-old girl and injuring 19 other pupils and three teachers

A council bin lorry was involved in the crash at the busy junction at around 9am this morning

Holly, who has an identical twin, Emma, had already danced with the Midlands Theatre Ballet, the English Youth Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet.

In 2014, she beat 250 other youngsters to win a starring role in Sleeping Beauty at the Grand Theatre, in Wolverhampton.

Stephanie Parrott, who had taught Holly dance for ten years, paid tribute to the ‘ballerina in the making’ yesterday.

She said: ‘Holly was so talented and passionate about dance that she was already studying it as a GCSE with me.

‘Holly was meticulous about her technique and definitely had a career in dance to look forward to. I’m feeling numb at the news. I gather Holly was in the seat which took most of the impact. At least Emma wasn’t on board.

‘I’ve watched them grow up. A promising, beautiful girl has been robbed of her future.’

One 32-year-old father-of-one, who did not want to be named, said: 'I heard earlier today about what happened.

'I didn't know the family too well, but understandably it's devastating news, especially when you have a kid yourself.

'My children are a bit younger, but they used to play with Holly and some other people a bit further up the road.

'It's very hard when something like this happens so close to home.'

Another man, who wished to remain anonymous, said: 'She seemed to be a confident girl.

'Often she would have friends going to the house, and the family always seemed to be driving off from one place to the next.

'You just can't imagine it, can you? Someone passing away so suddenly.'

Pictures show the front left hand side of the bin lorry was badly damaged in the crash

A private ambulance was brought to the scene this afternoon after a 14-year-old was killed

Another added: 'It's too raw. This is the worst day of someone's life. Its just too tragic for words.' 

Relatives are comforting the Browns, at the family's home in Branston, near Burton-upon-Trent.

Friends said Holly dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer and three years ago won a place to star in a local performance of Sleeping Beauty. 

Police forensics experts meanwhile combed the scene as part of their investigation into the crash and tests were carried out on the bin lorry.

Superintendent Dean Hatton, of West Midlands Police, said: 'This is a tragic incident which has resulted in the death of a pupil from the John Taylor High School in Barton-under-Needwood.

'The family of the teenage girl has been informed and they are being supported by officers from our family liaison unit.' 

The group were planning to visit Birmingham's Botanical Gardens and then the Wolverhampton Art Gallery, parents at the school said.

A mother of a boy who was on the bus said the lorry collided with the side of the bus 

Sheeting was put over part of the minibus as police forensics officers arrived at the scene

Police investigators were also seen getting into the waste truck after the crash

The vehicles were facing the same way they came to a stop. Debris was scattered on the road

West Midlands Police described the death as a 'tragic incident' and said the girl's family have been informed

The mother whose son was on the bus said: 'The trip was part of their GCSE art studies.

'All my son could say was that there had been a crash and one of the students had died. She apparently had a severe head injury. He said everyone was wearing seat belts.'  

Michelle Gower, another mother whose daughter was on the trip, was in tears as she said: 'It's awful. It's horrible. I just need her to be back with me now.'

Mother Tracey Pegg, whose son was on the trip, said she has managed to speak to him.

She said: 'I just spoke to my son. They are sending a minibus to pick them up and take them back to school.

'It's just horrible. I am going to f etch him from there and bring him straight home but we don't know the full details yet. The traffic around the area is horrendous.'

Police, two ambulances and an air ambulance were dispatched to the scene.

Parents arrived at the school to pick up children this afternoon after hearing what happened

Staffordshire Police are in touch with the school. A police was parked at the site today

Superintendent Dean Hattons aid: 'Unfortunately, it became clear nothing could be done at the scene to save the life of the young girl and she was pronounced dead at the scene'

Witness Alex Jeffers, 19, told the Birmingham Mail: 'I heard a loud bang behind me and I turned around and I saw a lot of dust go up in the air and a lot of glass shattered and metal from the lorry on the roadway by the bus stop.

'Both the lorry and the minibus came to a stop. I went over to the minibus to see if there was anything I could do.'

West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'Crews arrived on scene to discover a collision between a minibus and a lorry.

'There were 25 patients, from the minibus. One of whom, a teenage girl, had suffered serious injuries in the collision and unfortunately it immediately became apparent that nothing coul d be done to save her and she was confirmed dead at the scene.'

The ambulance spokesman added: 'A second teenage girl received treatment at the scene for minor injuries and was transported to Heartlands Hospital for further assessment.

'A further 19 children were discharged at the scene together with four adults, which included the minibus driver.

'The lorry driver, a man, was also assessed and discharged at the scene with having avoided injury.'

The students were on their way down from Barton-under-Needwood to Birmingham's Botantical Gardens and Wolverhampton Art Gallery

This was the scene soon after the minibus crashed with a lorry in Birmingham this morning

The statement to parents said: 'Please be aware that a number of our Year 9 and Year 12 students that are on an Art Trip have been involved in a serious road traffic accident this morning.

'We are working to support those directly affected. Please support us by not ringing into school as this closes our lines. More information will be provided via the school website.'

It is understood pupils who were not injured have been brought back to the school. 

Police say the road will remain closed for several hours while collision investigators work at the scene. Both drivers are helping the police with the investigation.

Machine worker Stephen Jones, 38, who works nearby, said: 'I heard a big bang at 9am this morning - a massive bang. 

He added: 'There are a lot of accidents here all the time, it's a busy road.'

Accident investigators are on the scene and the road will be closed for a number of hours

Both drivers are unhurt and are helping with the investigation, police have said

A local resident told of the havoc following the incident.

The man, who asked not to be named, said: 'It was about 9:10 am and I was walking back from the school run when I heard all the sirens.

'There are police at both ends of the A38, stopping cars entering. Tyburn Island is chaos, there is at least 10 plus police cars and vans.

'Police tape has been placed down the bank that runs along side there are at least two fire engines.'  

Birmingham MP Jack Dromey has tweeted his shock at the accident and said 'prayers are with those involved'. 

Two ambulances, an air ambulance and other paramedics are at the scene treating the injured

The Staffordshire school has told parents it is working with authorities

Birmingham City Council confirmed one of their bin lorries was involved in the crash.

A spokesman said: 'We are deeply saddened by the death of a teenage girl this morning on Kingsbury Road and our thoughts are with her family, friends and all those affected.

'As a City Council trade waste vehicle was involved in the incident we will be fully co-operating with all investigations.' 

The principal of John Taylor High School had offered support for children who may have been left traumatised by the death of Holly.

Mike Donoghue said in a letter sent to parents: 'You may already have heard about a road traffic accident which involved some of our Year 9 and Year 12 students.

'Unfort unately, we have been told the tragic news that this has resulted in the fatality of one our Year 9 pupils.

'Your child, who has brought this letter home today, has been told about this and they may well be very upset by this sad event.

'We therefore felt it was important you know what has happened and what we are doing in school to support your child.

'Enclosed is a leaflet to help you to understand some of the possible effects, thoughts, and feelings that your child may experience.

'In school, pupils will be able to talk to their teachers or other staff about their feelings.

'Our thoughts, at this every tragic and sad time, are with the family, their friends and the pupils and staff involved.

'I am sure that you will join everyone at John Taylor High School in supporting our community i n every way you can.' 

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