Floral tributes to schoolgirl and dad who died in tragic M53 crash
Floral tributes have been left for a schoolgirl and dad who died in a tragic M53 crash.
Emergency services were called to the motorway at around 8am Friday morning[1], September 29, following reports a school bus carrying children had crashed. Merseyside Police and National Highways officers found the bus had overturned on the northbound carriageway of the motorway between junction 5 for New Chester Road to junction 4 for Brimstage Road.
The school bus was taking pupils to West Kirby Grammar[2] and Calday Grange Grammar School in Wirral[3]. Jessica Baker, 15, a schoolgirl and Stephen Shrimpton, 40, the driver of the bus, died in the crash.
Merseyside Police also confirmed a 14-year-old boy suffered life-changing injuries and remains in hospital. Some 58 people were involved in the crash.
A total of 52 people attended the emergency services training centre, 39 were discharged with no need for further treatment and 13 were treated for minor injuries and released. Today, Saturday, September 30, flowers were left near to junction 5 of the M53.
A note on the floral tribute read: “Our hearts are broken for this tragic loss of life. Praying for the families and friends.”
Stephen Shrimpton and Jessica Baker died after a school bus crashed on the M53
Jessica’s family issued a picture of the 15-year-old on Friday, following the tragic incident. Stephen’s family paid tribute to the dad-of-two today.
In a statement issued today by Merseyside Police,[6] his family said: “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.”
Don’t miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the Echo Daily newsletter here[7]
References
- ^ Emergency services were called to the motorway at around 8am Friday morning (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ West Kirby Grammar (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ Calday Grange Grammar School in Wirral (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ Woman hit by van as road closes for hours (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ Woman wakes up to neighbour ‘banging on door’ after nearby house ‘explodes’ (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ Merseyside Police, (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ Don’t miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the Echo Daily newsletter here (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)