30 September 2023 , 10:39
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The family of a bus driver who died after a school coach crashed on the M53 motorway have paid a heartbreaking tribute.
Stephen Shrimpton is understood to have suffered "medical issues" prior to the incident in Wirral on Friday which also killed pupil Jessica Baker, 15. The dad-of-two, 40, has been described as a "loving husband and father".
The coach overturned on the northbound carriageway near junction five at Hooton, Cheshire, at around 8am. A total of 58 people were involved in the incident, including the two fatalities.
The force formally named Mr Shrimpton this morning and released a statement from his family which said: "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." They have also requested privacy.
For the latest updates on the crash, see the Mirror's live blog here
Bus falls off motorway killing 14 and injuring 63 with fears death toll may rise
Jessica Baker, 15, also died in the crash (PA)A further tribute was previously paid to Mr Shrimpton in a GoFundMe page set up by his sister-in-law Emily Church, who wrote: “He’s sadly left behind my sister who’s now a widow in her early thirties, and unfortunately a single mum along side his much loved two young children who are only 8 and 4, who are going to grow up without their beloved father.”
She said he died in the accident on the motorway “while driving students to school”. Jessica’s family issued a photograph of her on Friday evening through Merseyside Police as they requested privacy.
Emergency services at the scene of the coach crash on the M53 motorway (PA)The force said in a statement: “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.”
Four children were taken to hospital including a 14-year-old boy whose injuries are said to be life-changing. Others were handled at an emergency training centre, with 13 treated for minor injuries before they were released. The bus was en route to West Kirby all-girls grammar school and Calday Grange all-boys grammar school, also in West Kirby, Merseyside.
Witnesses described seeing children clambering out of the windows of the overturned coach. The stretch of motorway was closed overnight, with police announcing around 6am today it had fully re-opened.
Both schools released statements, with West Kirby saying it was "actively gathering details and assisting affected students and their families". Meanwhile, Alder Hey Children's Hospital declared a "major incident", saying its A&E department was extremely busy.