BBC Breakfast's Charlie Stayt admits 'it's difficult' as he announces 'really sad news'

Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt sombrely kicked off Friday's BBC Breakfast with some "very sad" news. As they launched into the day's main stories, they reported on a devastating crash in Somerset that resulted in the death of a child.

Charlie opened with: "Good morning. It's Friday, the 18th of July. Our main story is that a child has died, and more than 20 people, including children, have been taken to hospital after a coach carrying 70 people crashed on its way back from a school trip."

Naga then detailed: "Staff and pupils from Minehead Middle School in Somerset were returning from Exmoor Zoo when the bus they were travelling on overturned and slid 20 feet down a bank."

READ MORE: Kate Beckinsale's heartbreak as beloved mum Judy Loe dies after stage 4 cancer battle

READ MORE: Vanessa Feltz takes subtle on air swipe at ex Ben Ofoedu after his wedding

Charlie continued: "Emergency Services were called to a rural road near the village of Whedden Cross, where they found a coach on its roof with passengers trapped inside."

The BBC Breakfast presenter then handed over to correspondent Dan Johnson, who was reporting live from the scene of the heartbreaking incident, reports the Express.

Charlie expressed his condolences: "Morning to you, Dan, such a difficult time for people there."

Standing outside the affected school, Dan conveyed: "Yeah, really sad news that everyone here is struggling to take in."

He relayed the school's statement: "They have announced that the school will remain closed. Today, the school released a statement saying, 'This incident has had a very significant impact on our children, families, and staff, and as a whole community, we are deeply affected'."

The reporter informed parents that they would be updated today with specifics on the support available for children impacted by the incident.

He then shared with his colleagues that a community-wide event is anticipated to be held at the school.

He remarked, "This is a small town. This is a school that draws in children from around a wide area, the kind of place where people really do know each other."

Emphasising the communal grief, he said, "So I think everyone's thoughts will be with the family of the child who's lost their life, but also with the others who were affected by this."

Addressing the aftermath of the crash, Dan noted: "More than 60 people who were on that bus, who were injured, to some degree, even the walking wounded, will have been shaken, will be traumatised, will need to process what they've been through."

He continued, detailing the current situation: "And there are still children who are in hospital, some of them with serious injuries. In terms of exactly how this crash happened. It's been described as a collision by the police, but they've given no further details on whether any other vehicle was involved."

Viewers can catch BBC Breakfast every morning at 6am on BBC One.