Girl, 14, killed as school bus and bin lorry crashed in Staffordshire named

A 14-year-old girl who died after a minibus carrying school pupils on a field trip collided with a bin lorry has been named.

The teenager, named in reports as Holly Brown, was on a bus carrying 21 students from John Taylor High School in Staffordshire when it crashed on the A38 Kingsbury Road in Birmingham.

The youngster was confirmed dead at the scene in the Castle Vale area of the city.

Tributes have been paid to Holly, with one person writing on social media: “Absolutely heartbroken for Holly Brown. To her family and friends, know that pupils from John Taylor, past and present are devastated RIP.”

A second teenage girl was taken to hospital with minor injuries and others were treated at the roadside.

West Midlands Police said the bus was also carrying four adults – the driver and three teachers.

No arrests have been made; however police said that both drivers were assisting with the “detailed and thorough” investigation.

Police are investigating whether or not all those on board were wearing seat belts.

Superintendent Dean Hatton, head of the central motorway police group (CMPG), said emergency services were called to “an extremely tragic incident” on the road at around 9am on Friday morning.

He said on Friday: “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.”

Asked if the pupils were wearing seat-belts, he replied: “That will be part of our investigation and, at the moment, I can’t confirm either way whether or not pupils were wearing seat-belts or otherwise.”

He said he would not speculate on the cause of the collision.

From the roadside, damage to the waste truck’s front end was visible.

Locals described hearing a “massive bang” before the arrival of emergency services at the scene, which was promptly closed off.

One said there are “a lot of accidents here all the time, it’s a busy road.”

Birmingham City Council confirmed one of its bin lorries was involved in the crash and they “will be fully co-operating with all investigations”.

In a statement, it 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.”

In a letter home to parents, the school’s headteacher explained there had been a fatal accident involving one of its Year 9 pupils and said it would offer any students struggling with the news support and comfort.

Principal Mike Donoghue said: “Our thoughts, at this very 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 in every way you can.”