M53 coach crash: Girl, 15, pictured as Jessica Baker after school bus overturns with driver dead
A "major incident" was declared after a bus carrying pupils from two schools overturned in a horror crash on the M53 this morning.
Around 10 police vehicles, four fire engines and five ambulances raced to the area in Merseyside just after 8am. North West Air Ambulance Services was also scrambled to the scene, where part of the motorway has been closed entirely.
Merseyside Police confirmed that 58 people were involved in the incident, including the driver and the girl who died. Merseyside Fire and Rescue helped passengers escape the debris.
One driver shared a picture of a coach turned on its side and young people stood outside. He wrote: "Crash on the M53 towards Liverpool just after J5. Coach on the side with school kids escaping for the back window." According to a local councillor, the crash involves a coach travelling to Calday Grange Grammar School and West Kirby Grammar School for Girls.
Did you see what happened? Contact [email protected]
North West Ambulance Service declared a major incident. Alder Hey Children's Hospital also called a major incident, which it has since de-escalated.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "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."
National Highways Traffic Officers are also on scene providing assistance with traffic management. Motorists are being advised to avoid the area and find alternative routes.
22:47Chiara FiorilloThis live blog has now ended
That's all from today. Come back tomorrow for more updates.
22:34Chiara FiorilloMedics on strike left picket lines to respond to crash
An emergency services training centre in nearby Wallasey was turned into a casualty centre to triage the injuries, with 17 people taken to hospitals.
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and the North West Ambulance Service declared major incidents due to the number of potential casualties.
Medics on strike abandoned their picket lines in Wirral to respond to the crash as the 999 calls flooded in.
22:21Chiara FiorilloGirl boarded different bus by 'sheer luck'
Mum Corrin Hickerton told how daughter Orla had by “sheer luck” boarded another bus.
She wrote: “I know every family with children on those three buses were praying hard that it wasn’t their child’s bus that was involved.
“My heart goes out to the child’s family and of course the family of the bus driver.
“When I waved Orla off this morning it didn’t cross my mind that I might not be welcoming her back after a tiring day at school. She is getting one hell of a hug when she gets home.”
22:11Chiara FiorilloTraumatised pupil 'thought she was going to die in the bus'
A paramedic at the scene on the M53 near Birkenhead, Merseyside, found one traumatised pupil weeping amid the chaos.
He said: “She was in shock and said it was horrible and scary. She said she thought she was going to die in the bus.
“The bus was a mess. The children were in shock. It’s going to take a long time for them to get over what they’ve seen.”
22:00Chiara FiorilloPupils in coach travelling behind witnessed horror crash
Pupils in another coach travelling behind watched the horror unfold in front of them.
Local Labour councillor Sherin Akhtar drove past the shattered vehicle just moments after the crash with her 13-year-old daughter.
She said: “There were clearly casualties outside, there were pupils on the floor. My son was in the coach behind.”
21:48KEY EVENTChildren forced to jump from smashed windows
Witnesses have told of a scene of devastation after the horror motorway[1] school bus crash[2] that claimed two lives.
Terrified children[3] had been seen jumping from the wreckage as it lay on its side. One witness tweeted a photo of the bus and wrote: “Coach on the side with school kids escaping from the back window.”
You can 21:18KEY EVENT
School bus driver suffered 'medical issue' behind wheel
The driver of a school bus suffered "medical issues" behind the wheel before he died in a horror crash on the motorway, his family have said.
The man, named Stephen Shrimpton, was driving a coach of more than 50 schoolchildren when it crashed into the central reservation on the M53[5] earlier today.
Launching a GoFundMe to pay for his funeral, Stephen's sister-in-law Emily said the dad had left behind a widow in her 30s and two children aged eight and four.
She wrote: "I'm raising some funds for my brother-in-law's funeral. He tragically died in an accident on the M53 on the morning of the 29th of September, after suffering medical issues at the wheel while driving students to school."
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Facebook)
21:15KEY EVENT
15-year-old named as Jessica Baker
The 15-year-old girl who died in the crash has been named as Jessica Baker
A 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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PA)
20:44Chiara Fiorillo
Minute's silence to pay tribute to victims
Support and messages of condolence have flooded in today after the tragic crash on the M53 which claimed the life of a girl and a bus driver.
Tonight Ashville Football Club said it is taking part in a minute's silence before its match.
Both sides and supporters taking part in a minutes silence prior to kick off to honour those who tragically lost their lives in this mornings M53 bus crash #UTV pic.twitter.com/2iUQd1Rb9j[6][7]
— Ashville Football Club (@AshvilleFC) September 29, 2023[8] 20:23Chiara FiorilloTributes to victims of crash
Flowers have been left at West Kirby Grammer School following the crash.
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Liverpool Echo)
20:03Chiara Fiorillo
Condition update on all casualties
Merseyside Police has given an update on the 58 people who were involved in the fatal M53 school bus crash this morning.
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.
Police have now confirmed a 14-year-old boy also suffered life-changing injuries in the crash and remains in the hospital.
One 15-year-old girl and the driver of the bus have died.
19:45Chiara FiorilloBoy, 14, suffers life-changing injuries
A 14-year-old schoolboy has suffered life-changing injuries after the bus crash on the M53, Merseyside Police have said.
The force confirmed the boy remains in hospital.
A 15-year-old girl and the bus driver tragically died.
19:36Chiara FiorilloThe crash was 'a truly horrific incident'
Local Policing Superintendent Sabi Kaur said: "This was a truly horrific incident and the impact on this will have been felt far and wide not only in Wirral but across Merseyside.
"Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of the girl and the bus driver as well as with those who have been impacted by this incident and we will do everything we can to support them in the coming days and weeks.
"We would ask anyone who witnessed the collision or believes they have captured something significant to contact us as a matter of urgency.
"We would also ask the public to avoid speculating on the incident or posting information or images which could be distressing for the families and those involved."
19:05Chiara FiorilloPost-mortems to be carried out next week
The police said post-mortems on the 15-year-old girl and the bus driver will be carried out next week to establish the cause of death.
The force added their families are being supported by specially trained officers.
19:00KEY EVENTMerseyside Police issue new update on number of casualties
Merseyside Police have tonight issued a further update on their investigation and said that in total, 58 people were involved in the incident.
The number of casualties includes two fatalities. It also includes a 14-year-old boy who has suffered life-changing injuries and remains in hospital.
The police said in a statement: "A total of 52 attended the emergency services training centre, 39 were discharged with no need for further treatment and 13 were treated for minor injuries and released."
18:35Chiara FiorilloMerseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell sends 'deepest condolences '
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said the crash was "an awfully tragic incident" and added she wanted to send her "deepest condolences" to the family and friends of the 15-year-old girl and the bus driver.
She said: "I want to send my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the two people who have tragically lost their lives and all those affected by the incident on the M53 this morning.
"I cannot begin to understand the distress of those who were travelling on the coach and the worry of the families of those involved.
"This was an awfully tragic incident that occurred on a busy stretch of motorway during rush-hour, and I’d like to offer my sincere gratitude to all our emergency service personnel for their swift response in both responding to the needs of the victims and securing a very challenging scene.
"I want to reiterate, that now is not the time for speculation. This is an active investigation, and I would urge people to refrain from discussing or sharing posts and images online that may cause distress.
"If anybody has been affected by this morning’s events, specialist aftermath support is available to all victims of road incidents, their families as well as other drivers and witnesses. You can seek support by contacting [email protected] or by phone on 0151 777 2562 or 0845 634 4273."
18:27Chiara FiorilloA map of the incident
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Press Association Images)
18:20Chiara Fiorillo
'Complex investigation work' being carried out
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."
17:57Chiara FiorilloMP pays tribute to victims of crash
Justin Madders, the MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, said the news that two people lost their lives is "devastating", adding that the local and the school community will be "traumatised" by the accident.
In a statement, he said: "The news that two lives have been lost following the crash on the M53 this morning is devastating and my heart goes out to the loved ones of the schoolgirl and driver who have died today.
"Many children will have gone to school on that motorway today and on countless other days without incident and it is an absolute tragedy that such an everyday occurrence has resulted in these fatalities.
"The local community and the school community will no doubt be traumatised by the events of today and there will be professional help for those who have been affected. Finally, I would like to thank the emergency services for their response."
17:34Chiara FiorilloPolice confirm 54 people were on board
Merseyside Police confirmed that 54 people were on board the bus, including the driver and the girl who died.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue helped passengers escape the debris - "a substantial number of ambulances, senior clinicians" as well as the hazardous area response teams and a critical care doctor were dispatched to the scene.
17:26Chiara FiorilloM53 will remain closed 'for some time'
Cheshire Police has confirmed that the M53 will remain closed in both directions between J5 (Hooton) & J4 (Bebington) for some time while the investigation into today's incident continues.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the area and find alternative routers, and people have been advised to remain patient while the incident is ongoing.
17:15Chiara FiorilloCouncil leader describes the day as 'heartbreaking'
Leader of Wirral Council, councillor Paul Stuart, said: "This is a heartbreaking day and my deepest condolences go out to those who have lost loved ones in this tragedy.
"Schools are very close-knit communities and I know this will be devastating for all those affected.
"The council has been providing support and assistance to the schools and families since we were made aware of the incident this morning. We will continue to do whatever we can to help."
17:06Chiara FiorilloSchoolchildren watched on helplessly as bus crashed
Horrified schoolkids watched on helplessly as the bus in front of them crashed on the M53.
The bus was en route to West Kirby all-girls grammar school and Calday Grange all-boys grammar school, also in West Kirby, Merseyside.
In a press conference held on Friday afternoon Chief Superintendent Graeme Robson said how children from both high schools witnessed the incident from a bus that was traveling close behind.
Family Liaison Officers are providing specialist support to both families and Merseyside Police is 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.
16:52Chiara FiorilloMajor incident declared due to potential number of casualties
Joanne Clague, area director for North West Ambulance Service, said a major incident was declared this morning due to the potential number of casualties involved. She also offered the service's condolences to all those involved, saying: "Following reports of a crash involving a coach this morning, we declared a major incident. 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.
"I would like to thank our emergency service colleagues for their support in ensuring the scene was safe so we were able to identify the most seriously injured first whilst safeguarding all those involved in the incident. "
16:34Chiara FiorilloTwo kids remain in a serious condition in hospital
Two children who were taken from the scene to Alder Hey Children's Hospital remain in serious condition.
Eight other children were taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital and Arrowe Park Hospital following a clinical assessment at an emergency service training centre in Wallasey.
15:54Chiara FiorilloDiversions in place
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.
15:07Matt ClemensonLeader of the Labour Party pays tribute
In the wake of the tragic news from this afternoon's press conference, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to those involved.
The politician said: “My heart goes out to everyone affected by the tragic accident on the Wirral this morning. Unimaginably sad news.”
15:05Matt ClemensonPolice reiterate appeal for drivers to avoid M53
Chief Superintendent Graeme Robson urged drivers local to the crash to consider other routes to avoid travelling down the M53.
He said: “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.”
Emergency services at the scene of a coach crash on the M53 motorway, between junction 5 at Ellesmere Port and junction 4 at Bebbington. The coach was carrying schoolchildren to Calday Grange Grammar School and West Kirby Grammar School for Girls. Picture date: Friday September 29, 2023. (
PA Wire)
15:00Matt Clemenson
Firefighter chief explains emergency response to 'terrible incident'
Mark Thomas, area manager of Merseyside Fire and Rescue service, told the 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.”
14:57Matt ClemensonPress conference confirms car also involved in collision
During the press conference, Chief Superintendent Graeme Robson, of Merseyside Police, confirmed a car was also involved in the incident.
You can read an in-depth report on that press conference here[9].
