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
No other vehicle involved in crash
No other vehicle was understood to be involved in the crash, according to the PA news agency.
Earlier, it was reported the school bus, which belonged to Carvers Coaches based in Ellesmere Port, had hit a car.
Diversions are in place as the M53 remains closed in both directions between junctions four and five.
National Highways North West said: “North West Motorway Police Group will be carrying out complex investigation work. Once complete, recovery of the coach and collision clear-up work can begin.
“The closure is expected to remain in place throughout the afternoon.”
Police guard motorway bridge
Police were guarding a bridge over the M53:
Police boss visibly emotional as he confirms deaths
Watch:
Police chief’s voice breaks as he confirms schoolgirl and driver dead in M53 crash
A Merseyside Police boss was visibly emotional as he delivered a press conference confirming the death of two people in a school bus crash on the M53 on Friday. Chief Superintendent Graeme Robson said: “Sadly, I can confirm that the driver and a 14-year-old schoolgirl have died. “Two children were taken from the scene to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. 50 other children were taken to an emergency training centre where they were medically assessed. Eight have been taken to the Countess of Chester and Arrowe Park Hospital.” Mr Robson added: “Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends at this tragic time.” He confirmed all children who witnessed the crash will be given specialist trauma support.
Council ‘supporting families involved'
Wirral council says it is working closely with schools affected by a fatal crash between a schoolbus and a car on the M53.
Simone White, director for children, families, and education at Wirral Council, said: “Council staff are working closely with the schools, and have been doing so since they were informed of the incident this morning.
“I’m sure everybody will understand that for the moment, our focus - and the focus of the schools - is in supporting the pupils, families, and wider school community who will have all been affected by this incident.
“As a council, we will continue to work with other local areas and all those who are affected as we wish to provide support and assistance as needed to the families who have been involved in this.”
Eleven children taken to hospital
Joanne Clague, area director for North West Ambulance Service and Merseyside, said 50 children were taken to a casualty clearing centre at the emergency service training centre in Wallasey but that 39 children had been discharged.
The remaining children were taken to hospital for further treatment.
“Assessments have taken place by our clinicians at the emergency service centre and patients there are being discharged, as I say, into the care of their parents and a small number taken to hospital for further treatment,” she said.
“I would like to thank our emergency services colleagues for their support in ensuring that the scene was safe so we were able to identify the most seriously injured while safeguarding all those involved in this incident.
“Again, I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of those affected.”
Ambulance crews and top clinicians rushed to scene
Ambulances, top clinicians, an emergency doctor and hazardous area response teams were all sent to the crash.
Joanne Clague, area director for North West Ambulance Service and Merseyside, said a major incident was declared.
She told journalists: “This was due to the potential number of casualties involved.
“As a result, we sent a substantial number of ambulances, senior clinicians and our hazardous area response teams. A critical care doctor was also dispatched to the scene.
“Tragically, we can confirm that there were two fatalities as a result of this crash.
“A further two patients were taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital with serious injuries.
“In addition, we have taken a number of patients to surrounding hospitals to be treated for minor injuries.”
School buses were travelling in convoy
Schoolchildren were on buses travelling in convoy with the school coach that crashed.
Chief Superintendent Graeme Robson said: “50 other children were taken to an emergency training centre where they were medically assessed and eight of those children have been taken to the Countess of Chester and Arrowe Park hospitals.
“Our thoughts and condolences are very much with their family and friends at this tragic time.
“Family liaison officers are providing specialist support to both families and we are working with the schools, Wirral Council and Cheshire West Council to ensure the necessary trauma support is in place for the children on the bus.
“We also know that other children from both schools were on buses travelling in convoy with the bus involved and they witnessed the incident and they too will be provided with specialist trauma support.”
Fire crews helped children off crashed bus
Firefighters helped passengers get off the bus after it overturned.
Mark Thomas, area manager of Merseyside Fire and Rescue service, told reporters: “Firefighters worked with emergency services colleagues at scene to stabilise the vehicle. We ensured the scene was safe, and we assisted casualties exiting the bus.
“Working jointly with our police and ambulance colleagues, shortly after we were able to assist the casualties onto a second coach to receive care away from the scene.
“Our operations are currently scaling down, and currently we stay at the scene, in attendance, to preserve the scene with Merseyside Police whilst an investigation is conducted.
“The thoughts of everyone at Merseyside Police Fire and Rescue Service are with the friends, the colleagues, and the families of all of those involved in this terrible incident.”
M53 to remain closed for several hours
Police say the M53 is expected to be closed for several more hours whilst investigations are carried out.
“We would like to thank motorists for their patience while the investigation is ongoing,” said Chief Superintendent Graeme Robson, of Merseyside Police.
11 children in hospital
Chf Supt Robson continued: “Two children were taken from the scene to Alder Hey Hospital. Fifty other children were taken to an emergency training centre where they were medically assessed and eight of those children have been taken to the Countess of Chester and Arrowe Park hospitals. Our thoughts and condolences are very much with their family and friends at this present time.
“Family liason officers are providing specialist support to both families and we are working with the schools, Wirral Council and Cheshire West Council to ensure the necessary trauma support is in place for the children on the bus
“We also know that other children from both schools were on buses travelling in convoy with the bus involved in the incident and they witnessed the incident and they too will be provided with specialist trauma support.”
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