M53 bus crash – latest: Coach driver killed was father of 2 as family say he suffered ‘medical issue’ at wheel
A 14-year-old boy suffered life-changing injuries in yesterday’s crash, which saw other injured children climbing out of windows to safety
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The bus driver who died in a horror car crash in Merseyside has been named as a father of two whose family claim "suffered medical issues behind the wheel” before the crash.
Stephen Shrimpton, described by his family as a “loving husband and father”, was driving a bus of more than 50 schoolchildren when it hit a reservation on the M53 near Junction 5 and flipped over.
One of the pupils on board, 15-year-old Jessica Baker, was also killed. A boy aged 14 suffered life-changing injuries, while several others were taken to hospital. Four other children were taken to hospital for treatment.
Eyewitnesses have described how injured children climbed through windows of the bus to escape from the wreckage.
The bus had been taking pupils to the all boys Calday Grange Grammar School and the all-girls West Kirby Grammar School when it crashed.
The crash happened just after junction 5, heading towards Liverpool, and closed a junction of the motorway. The road is reopened today.
Have you been affected by this incident? E-mail matt.mathers@independent.co.uk
Tribute to Stephen Shrimpton shared by family
The family of the driver killed in the M53 collision shared a touching tribute to their selfless husband and father.
Merseyside Police shared on Facebook: “Stephen sadly passed away in a traffic accident. Stephen was a loving husband and father to his wife and his wonderful children, a caring and thoughtful man who would always prioritise others over himself.
“Stephen will be sadly missed by all his friends and family. The family have requested privacy at this devastating time.”
ICYMI - Post-mortem to be carried out next week
Police say post-mortem examinations will be carried out next week to establish the cause of death of the two people who were killed in the crash.
A total of 58 people were involved in the incident.
Four children who were taken to hospital – including a 14-year-old boy whose injuries are said to be life-changing – are in stable conditions, according to police.
Others were handled at an emergency training centre, with 13 treated for minor injuries before they were released.
Touching tribute to Stephen Shrimpton
He’s sadly left behind my sister who’s now a widow in her early 30s, and unfortunately a single mum along side his much loved two young children who are only eight and four, who are going to grow up without their beloved father
Tributes continue to pour in for victims of the crash
Driver Stephen Shrimpton and 15-year-old Jessica Baker lost their lives when the coach overturned on the M53 yesterday.
One Facebook user said: “Friday was a very sad day for the coach industry, rest in piece, the young lady, Jessica and, Stephen, the coach driver, absolute heartbreaking.”
Another shared an old school group photo with Jessica in, saying: “Found this picture this morning,fly high beautiful girl Jessica Baker.”
How did the crash happen?
The family of the coach driver claim he suffered from ‘medical issues behind the wheel’ before the crash.
Stephen Shrimpton, a father-of-two, lost his life when the coach overturned on the M53 yesterday.
Mr Shrimpton’s sister in law Emily shared a touching tribute on a GoFundMe page to raise funds for Mr Shrimpton’s funeral.
She said: “He tragically died in an accident on the M53 on the morning on the 29th of September, after suffering medical issues at the wheel while driving students to school. “He’s sadly left behind my sister who’s now a widow in her early thirties, and unfortunately a single mum along side his much loved two young children who are only 8 and 4, who are going to grow up without their beloved father.”
Who has died in the M53 crash?
The horrific crash which overturned a coach on the M53 has taken the lives of a 15-year-old on her way to school and a father-of-two who was in the driver’s seat.
Jessica Baker, 15, was on her way to West Kirby Grammar school when the coach overturned on the northbound M53 near junction five at Hooton, Cheshire at around 8am.
Stephen Shrimpton is a father-of-two who last his life in the crash. He has been described as a ‘loving husband and father’
Tributes pour in for bus driver killed in crash
Tributes continue to pour in for Stephen Shrimpton, the bus driver who was killed in yesterday’s crash.
“When we all pull together we can make a huge difference when it’s most needed,” one person said.
“Our thoughts are with his family,” another wrote.
“Rip Steve worked with you in chester stagecoach . Sleep tight m8,” a third said.
£12,000 raised for ‘loving husband and father'
More than £12,000 has been raised in less than a day to help cover the funeral costs of Stephen Shrimpton, the driver who was killed when his bus crashed in Merseyside yesterday morning.
A Gofundmepage was set up by his sister in law Emily Church, who described Mr Shrimpton as a “loving husband and father”. Nearly a thousand donations have been made since the campaign was set up on Friday evening.
“I’m so sorry for your very sad loss,” one donor wrote on the page. “My thoughts and prayers are with dear Stephen’s wife, children and all of his beloved family at this very difficult time. RIP dearest soul”.
Merseyside Police thoughts with victims and families
Merseyside Police has said the force’s thoughts are with the victims of yesterday’s crash and their families.
Detective Sergeant Andy Roper, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “The thoughts of everyone at Merseyside Police remain with those who were affected by the tragic incident yesterday.
“The families of Stephen and Jessica are being supported by specially trained officers and we are working with both schools and Wirral and Cheshire West councils to ensure the necessary trauma support is in place for the children who were affected.”
NHS workers abandoned strike to help aid effort
NHS workers abandoned their strike to be available to help the injured, Unison North West said.
“We dispersed our picket and members are returning home to be on-call to help,” the union posted on social media.
Long tailbacks built up on the motorway, which was then closed for hours after the crash, causing heavy traffic in other areas.
Jane Dalton reports:
Girl of 15 and driver killed as school coach overturns and crashes on motorway
Teenager identified as Jessica Baker, while boy of 14 suffered life-changing injuries in accident that left pupils standing on hard shoulder
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