Landlord who helped after fatal crash given honour
BBCA pub landlord hailed as a "community hero" after helping pupils involved in a coach crash has been presented with a British Empire Medal (BEM).
Eric Norman, 74, landlord of the Rest and Be Thankful pub in Wheddon Cross, Minehead, was given the award for his actions following the incident at Cutcombe Hill in July 2025.
The coach had been carrying about 70 people, many of them pupils from Minehead Middle School. One child died and two were seriously injured.
Norman opened his pub as a rest centre and refuge for children, school staff, parents and the emergency services following the crash. He said he felt "honoured and humbled" to receive the award.
The citation which accompanied Norman's BEM said: "His instinctive generosity and unwavering support for those children and their families in crisis was exceptional.
"He led by example and his actions became a testament of how a local community responds in times of stress and emergency."
The Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Mohammed Saddiq, presented Norman with his award and called his actions "exemplary".
"I cannot praise him highly enough. Local leaders have spoken in incredibly warm words about his actions and how they enabled the emergency responders to work with pressures immediately removed by his quick actions," added Saddiq.
The BEM is awarded on behalf of the King and honours "hands on" service to the community.
Norman said: "I like to think this medal is for the entire community who within half an hour rallied round on that dreadful day and tried to give help where we could. There were many people involved."
He was presented with the BEM at a garden party held near Frome to recognise and honour the work of local charities.
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