Girl, 15, who died in school coach crash is named
The teenage girl who died after a school coach crashed on the M53 motorway in Wirral on Friday has been named as Jessica Baker, 15, Merseyside Police said.
The family issued a photograph of her as the force said they requested privacy.
A male bus driver was also killed in the incident.
Girls from West Kirby Grammar School along with pupils from all-boys Calday Grange Grammar in Merseyside were on their way to lessons when the coach struck a reservation and overturned on the M53’s northbound carriageway near junction 5.
A further two patients were taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital with serious injuries, while a number of other patients were taken to surrounding hospitals for treatment to minor injuries.
Fifty children were transported to a casualty clearing centre at the emergency services training centre in Wallasey, with 13 taken to hospital for treatment to minor injuries.
Merseyside Police said a 14-year-old boy suffered life-changing injuries in the fatal bus collision.
In a press conference at Birkenhead Town Hall, Merseyside Police confirmed a 15-year-old girl and the driver had died.
Chief Superintendent Graeme Robson said: “Our thoughts and condolences are very much with their families and friends at this tragic time.
“Family liaison officers are providing specialist support to both families 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 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 witnessed the incident. They too will be provided with appropriate trauma support.”
Alder Hey had declared a “major incident” with its emergency department “extremely busy” following the crash.
It had warned parents and carers to only attend in the case of an emergency but in an update said routine appointments could now be attended as normal after the incident was “de-escalated”.
The bus was operated by Carvers, based in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, on what should have been a routine school run.
Two fire engines and the search and rescue team attended the crash after being alerted at 8.05am. Crews arrived at the scene to find the overturned bus and immediately began assisting the casualties and helping those who could walk away from the scene onto another coach.
Mark Thomas, area manager of Merseyside Fire and Rescue service, said: “Firefighters worked with emergency services colleagues at the 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.
“The thoughts of everyone at Merseyside Police Fire and Rescue Service are with the friends, the colleagues and families of all of those involved in this terrible incident.”
The M53 was closed in both directions from J5 A41 New Chester Road (Eastham) to J4 A5137 Brimstage Road (Bebington). Drivers were urged to avoid the area.
Police have confirmed no other vehicle was involved in the collision.
Two Merseyside MPs sent their thoughts to those involved.
Labour’s Angela Eagle tweeted:
Unbearable news My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have died and been injured in this terrible incident https://t.co/Tl4cGjzGb0[1]
— Angela Eagle DBE (@angelaeagle) September 29, 2023[2]
Margaret Greenwood, Labour MP for Wirral West, wrote:
Tragically a 14 year old school girl and the driver of the coach in today’s crash on the M53 have died. My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with their family and friends and all those affected.
— Margaret Greenwood MP (@MGreenwoodWW) September 29, 2023[3]
9:05PM
[4]
Merseyside Police statement
A Merseyside Police statement said: “Jessica Baker sadly died as a result of the collision on the M53 northbound carriageway earlier today.
“Jessica’s family have requested that their privacy is respected at this time and any updates from them will be issued via Merseyside Police news office as appropriate.”
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No other vehicle involved
Merseyside Police have confirmed no other vehicle was involved in the crash.
Wirral council statement
Wirral council 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 told a press conference: “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.”
Keir Starmer sends condolences after ‘unimaginably sad news’
My heart goes out to everyone affected by the tragic accident on the Wirral this morning. Unimaginably sad news.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 29, 2023[9]
3:13PM
[10]
Ambulance service declared major incident
Joanne Clague, area director for North West Ambulance Service and Merseyside, said a major incident was declared following reports of a crash involving a coach on Friday morning.
She told a press conference: “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.”
Merseyside Police – Children in convoy witnessed crash
Chief Superintendent Graeme Robson also told the press conference: “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.
“The motorway is expected to be closed for a number of hours whilst investigative work is carried out and we would like to thank motorists for their patience while the investigation is ongoing.”
Firefighters helped passengers exit overturned school coach on M53
Mark Thomas, area manager of Merseyside Fire and Rescue service, told a press conference: “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.”
Two children taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital
Chief Superintendent Graeme Robson has told a press conference that emergency services were called to reports of an overturned bus on the M53 just after eight o’clock on Friday morning.
He said: “We can confirm that the bus was a school bus, taking pupils to West Kirby and Calday grammar schools on the Wirral.
“We understand there were 54 people including the driver on the bus. 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.”
Schoolgirl, 14, and driver die after school coach overturns on M53
A 14-year-old schoolgirl and a coach driver have died after a motorway crash involving a school bus and a car, Merseyside Police said.
Watch: Press conference under way
A live press conference is being held by three emergency services following the serious road traffic on the M53 in Wirral Merseyside this morning. https://t.co/XdNb2CUsvf[16]
— Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) September 29, 2023[17]
1:44PM
[18]
Major incident de-escalated at Alder Hey Hospital
A major incident at Alder Hey’s Children Hospital has now been de-escalated.
The hospital warned its emergency department was “extremely busy” following the school bus crash on the M53 on Friday morning.
It had warned parents and carers to only attend in the case of an emergency but in an updated routine appointments can now be attended as normal.
Alder Hey tweeted: “We’ve now de-escalated from a major incident, however our A&E remains extremely busy. Please only attend in cases of emergency, or use our Symptom Checker before attending. If you have an appointment at Alder Hey, please still attend as normal. Thank you.
Merseyside Police to host press conference at Birkenhead Town Hall
Merseyside Police will hold a press conference at 2.30pm into the school bus crash on the M53.
Wirral Chief Superintendent Graeme Robson will provide an update at Birkenhead Town Hall.
Police ask public to refrain from speculation
An update on the M53 closure from @MerseyPolice[21]. If you witnessed the incident/have dashcam footage please read the thread to find out how to contact Merseyside Police.
This is an ongoing incident – refrain from sharing speculation or images online that could be distressing. https://t.co/Daqj980SjV[22]
— Cheshire Police (@cheshirepolice) September 29, 2023[23]
12:15PM
[24]
Picture: School bus overturns on M53
M53 closure expected for “considerable time”
The area affected; pic.twitter.com/zOAHK9x7k2[26]
— Cheshire Police (@cheshirepolice) September 29, 2023[27]
A spokesperson for National Highways said: “The closure is expected to remain in place for a considerable time today.”
The M53 is closed in both directions due to overturned coach from J5 A41 New Chester Road (Eastham) to J4 A5137 Brimstage Road (Bebington).
Labour MPs issue statements
Two Merseyside Labour MPs have sent their thoughts to people affected by the crash on the M53.
Angela Eagle tweeted: “I am aware of a serious road traffic incident this morning on the M53 involving a local school bus. My thoughts are with everyone involved, their families & the school community.
“Thoughts also with emergency services at Arrowe Park who are presently responding to the situation.”
Margaret Greenwood wrote: “My thoughts are with everyone affected by the incident on the M53. I know the emergency services will be working hard to support people; if there’s any assistance I can provide, please call my office on 0151 792 3416.”
Alder Hey Hospital declares major incident
⚠️ | 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. pic.twitter.com/CS3KFQqV9V[30]
— 🏥 Alder Hey 💙 (@AlderHey) September 29, 2023[31]
11:07AM
[32]
Woman seriously injured and 50 children treated at scene
pic.twitter.com/DkF1oaczTV[33]
— North West Ambulance Service (@NWAmbulance) September 29, 2023[34]
10:55AM
[35]
Merseyside Fire Service confirm a “number of casualties”
In a statement Merseyside Fire and Rescue service said:
Fire crews have been called to the scene of a road traffic collision between junctions 5 and 4 of the M53 on the northbound carriageway this morning.
Two fire engines and the Search and Rescue Team are in attendance. Crews were alerted at 8.05am and on scene at 8.16am. Crews arrived at the scene to find an overturned bus with a number of casualties.
North West Ambulance and Merseyside Police are also in attendance. The incident is ongoing and the carriageway will remain closed for some time.
Tranmere Rovers – ‘Our thoughts are with pupils’
We are saddened to hear the news of a bus accident on the M53 this morning.
We hope our friends at Calday Grange Grammar School and West Kirby Grammar School are all safe.
The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the Club are with those involved. 🤍
— Tranmere Rovers FC (@TranmereRovers) September 29, 2023[37]
10:28AM
[38]
North West Ambulance Service releases statement
pic.twitter.com/92btrazbm9[39]
— North West Ambulance Service (@NWAmbulance) September 29, 2023[40]
10:25AM
[41]
Councillor – Pupils from two grammar schools on the bus
Sherin Akhtar, a Labour councillor based in Cheshire, tweeted: “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. Once facts are established I will be able to update you further.”
Merseyside Police working to ensure safe removal of passengers and driver
We can confirm that emergency services are on the M53 in Hooton following a collision involving a bus on the motorway.
Just after 8am we received a report that a bus had struck a reservation on Junction 5 of the M53.
(THREAD) pic.twitter.com/Feq6m81Q3M[43]
— Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) September 29, 2023[44]
Merseyside Police statement in full:
We can confirm that emergency services are on the M53 in Hooton following a collision involving a bus on the motorway.
Just after 8am we received a report that a bus had struck a reservation on Junction 5 of the M53.
Junctions 3-5 of the M53 are closed in both directions. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service is currently ensuring the safe removal of passengers and the driver, and North West Ambulance Service are at the scene attending to anyone requiring treatment.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternative routes, and we advise people to remain patient while the incident is ongoing.
Enquiries are ongoing and updates will be issued as soon as possible.
Please note this incident is ongoing and we are urging people to refrain from speculating or publishing any sensitive information that could be distressing online or via social media platforms.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage or CCTV is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC quoting 23000944471.
Grammar school releases statement
In a statement posted on its Facebook page, Calday Grange Grammar School said: “We are aware of a situation involving one of our school buses on the motorway earlier today.
“We’re actively gathering details and assisting affected students and their families.”
Pupils from West Kirby Grammar School were also reportedly on the bus at the time of the crash.
School bus overturns on the M53
A bus carrying Merseyside pupils from two separate grammar schools has overturned on the M53.
Pupils from Calday Grange Grammar School and West Kirby Grammar School were on board the bus when it crashed on the motorway’s northbound carriageway near junction 5.
Merseyside Police and North West Ambulance Service have been called to the crash with drivers urged to avoid the area.
Good morning
The Telegraph will be bringing you live updates to a crash involving a school bus on the M53 in Merseyside carrying pupils from two grammar schools
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