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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Your support makes all the difference.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
Wirral West MP says her ‘thoughts’ are with those affected by crash
Margaret Greenwood MP for Wirral West said her “thoughts” are with everyone affected by the grammar school coach crash.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, she said: “My thoughts are with everyone affected by the incident on the M53. I know the emergency services will be working hard to support people.”
Pictured: M53 crash
Children’s hospital ‘extremely busy’ following M53 crash
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital has said it is “extremely busy” and has called a “major incident” following the M53 crash.
The hospital in West Derby, Liverpool, said it would only “ask parents to only bring their children to the Department if it is urgent.”
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, it said: Following an incident on the M53, we have called a major incident. Our Emergency Department is currently extremely busy and we would also ask parents to only bring their children to the Department if it is urgent.”
Witness: ‘Pupils on the floor'
A witness said there were ‘pupils on the floor’ after the school bus overturned.
Speaking to The Guardian, the witness said: “There were clearly casualties outside the coach. There were pupils on the floor”.
Woman rushed to hospital with ‘major’ trauma injury
A woman has been rushed to hospital with “major trauma-related injuries”, according to emergency services.
Posting on X, formerly Twitter, North West Ambulance Service said: “So far, one female patient has been taken to the hosptial with major trauma-related injuries.
“There are also nearly 50 other patients being assessed at the scene.”
West Kirby Grammar School ‘aware’ of incident
West Kirby Grammar School has said it is “aware” of an incident involving one of its school buses
Writing on Facebook, it said: “We are aware of a situation involving one of our school buses on the motorway earlier today.”
Councillor claims coach was travelling to two schools
Councillor for Cheshire West and Chester Sherin Akhtar said: “I can confirm that there has been an accident on the M53 this morning going towards the Wirral.
“It involves a Carvers coach ( W3) travelling to Calday Grange Grammar School and West Kirby Grammar school for girls.”
Family run coach company ‘aware’ of accident
Family-ran business Carvers Coaches said it was “aware” one of its coaches was involved in a “major incident” on the M53 this morning.
Birkenhead MP speaks of ‘terrible’ incident
The Labour MP for Birkenhead Mick Whitley has said his ‘thoughts’ are with everyone affected by the crash.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, he said: “My thoughts are with everyone who’s been affected by the terrible incident on the M53.”