'Loving' bus driver died after 'medical issues' in M53 coach crash

Family pay tribute to bus driver

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 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."

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Stephen Shrimpton (Facebook)

Timeline of key events

Here is a timeline of events relating to the crash yesterday.

Friday

8am - Reports of a crash on the M53

Emergency services were called to the motorway between junctions four and five at around 8am after the coach crashed into the central reservation and overturned. Merseyside Police and National Highways officers found the bus had overturned on the northbound carriageway of the motorway between J5 for New Chester Road to J4 for Brimstage Road.

The motorway was closed in both directions and people were asked to avoid the area.

Tour bus carrying over 60 people plunges off 'curve of death' cliff killing 23

9am - Caldy Grange Grammar and West Kirby Grammar release statements

Both Caldy Grange Grammar and West Kirby Grammar Schools released statements confirming their school bus was involved in the M53 crash.

A spokesperson from West Kirby Grammar added: "We're actively gathering details and assisting affected students and their families.

"Support is available. If you need to talk or seek guidance, please contact the school office."

10am - Emergency services confirm '50 casualties'

A spokesperson for North West Ambulance service confirmed, a female was taken to hospital in a serious condition. Around 50 other patients, believed to be schoolchildren, were assessed at the scene.

12am - Alder Hey declare 'major incident' and major incident team step in

Alder Hey Children's Hospital has declared a "major incident", adding: "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."

The major incident team also stepped in at Wirral University Teaching Hospitals. The status was de-escalated later.

2.30pm - Police announce 15-year-old girl and the driver of the bus have died

Merseyside Police held a press conference to confirm the tragic news that a schoolgirl, 15, and a driver, had died. Here is everything that was said.

Chief Superintendent Graeme Robson said two children were taken to hospital, while 50 others were taken to an Emergency Training Centre where they were medically assessed.

Eight of those 50 children were then taken to the Countess of Chester and Arrowe Park Hospitals.

Mr Robson added: "I would also like to remind people that there is an investigation underway and would ask people to refrain from posting anything on social media that could hamper that investigation and not to speculate."

3pm - No fly zone imposed

Flight restrictions affecting drones and helicopters were imposed in Bebington.

A temporary airspace restriction was in place from 12.55pm on Friday, making it an offence for any aircraft to fly below 3,500ft above sea level in a designated area (pictured), without the explicit permission of Merseyside Police.

Drone and aircraft users flying inside the Restricted Airspace that have not been granted permission will be guilty of committing an offence and could be prosecuted as well as having their equipment seized and confiscated.

The airspace restrictions will have an impact on all Aircraft Systems, including those used by the public, private companies and media.

5pm - Flowers left at West Kirby Grammar School

The mood outside West Kirby Grammar School was sombre.

At the end of the school day children were led by teachers to buses that arrived outside the school to take them back home. Pupils left the building in single file and were silent while boarding the buses.

Police officers were stationed outside the school until all the pupils had left the building. One bunch of flowers could also be seen on the school grounds.

7pm - Police give condition update on all 58 people involved in school bus crash

Merseyside Police confirmed 58 people were involved in the crash and gave an update on their conditions.

One 15-year-old girl and the driver of the bus died, with two further children being taken from the scene to Alder Hey Children's Hospital and two were taken to Arrowe Park. Police confirmed a 14-year-old boy also suffered life-changing injuries in the crash and remains in hospital.

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.

9pm - Family release picture of 15-year-old Jessica Baker

Merseyside Police shared the picture, with the consent of the family and confirmed her name as Jessica Barker.

Police had previously reported she was 14 but have since confirmed she was 15-years-old.

10pm - Dad-of-two named as bus driver killed in crash

The family of a bus driver who was killed in a crash on the M53 today have named him as dad-of-two Stephen Shrimpton.

A GoFundMe Page has been launched to help his family after he left behind his partner and their two young children.

Saturday

12pm - Family pay tribute to bus driver

Stephen Shrimpton's family paid tribute to the 40-year-old bus driver in a statement released by the police.

School says it's 'actively gathering details'

One of the schools whose pupils were involved in the fatal crash has said it is "actively gathering details".

The bus was en route to West Kirby all-girls grammar school and Calday Grange all-boys grammar school, also in West Kirby, Merseyside, yesterday morning.

Calday said on Facebook: "We're actively gathering details and assisting affected students and their families."

Four children were taken to hospital including a 14-year-old boy whose injuries are said to be life-changing.

Emergency services at the scene of the coach crash on the M53 motorway (PA)

Tributes continue to flood in for tragic schoolgirl

Amy Sara Swift said: “So incomprehensibly tragic. God bless Jessica. Such extremely sad news and so many thoughts are with all of your family and friends.”

Les OH added: “Heartbreaking and a tragic loss of life so young. Fly high angel. Thoughts and prayers to her family.”

Caz Bishop said: “So sad, whole life ahead of her. Thoughts are with her family.”

Hundreds of tributes have been paid to schoolgirl Jessica Baker on social media.

Chanelle Knowles said: “Lots of love to family and friends at this heartbreaking time, what a beautiful young lady gone far too soon.”

Louise Ormond added: “So sad thinking of your family and friends. Rest in peace angel, taken far too soon.”

Debbie Walker sad: "So sad, her whole life ahead of her, snatched away. My thoughts go out to her family & friends."

Susan Doran added: "How heartbreaking. Thinking of Jessica's family and friends at this sad time. Rest in peace Jessica."

Anther social media user said: "Heartbreaking news , thoughts and prayers are with Jessica’s family and school friends."

Bus driver described as 'soul mate' to wife in heartbreaking tribute

A friend of bus driver Stephen Shrimpton, who died in the crash, has described him as a "soul mate" to his wife.

Pal Nicole wrote on Facebook the dad-of-two is "going to be sadly missed".

She went on to say: "RIP Ste, you will never be forgotten matey. Please keep looking over Tania Emma Shrimpton and your beautiful children and guide them through the rest of there lives.

"It's going to be so hard for them without you. You were Tania's soul mate, her best friend and most of all her husband who she loved dearly. Can't imagine the pain she's facing right now but I will always be there if she ever needs a chat or anything

She added: "Love you matey, sleep tight. Love you Tania."

M53 fully re-opened nearly 24 hours after crash

Merseyside Police confirmed on Facebook earlier this morning that the M53 is now fully re-opened.

In a post at around 6am, the force said: "Please be aware that the M53 is now fully open after the fatal road traffic collision on Friday 29th September.

"We are continuing to appeal for witnesses and dash-cam footage, anyone with information are asked to call the Matrix Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0151 777 5747."

A stretch of the M53 was closed (Liverpool Echo)

Sobbing girl 'thought she was going to die' as kids jump out windows

An unnamed schoolgirl on the crashed bus told a paramedic: "It was very scary - I thought I was going to die."

The paramedic, who checked the girl over at the scene, said: "She was crying her eyes out. She was in shock and said it was horrible and very scary. I think some of the older kids helped her out.

"She said she thought she was going to die in the bus."

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Map shows location of crash compared to schools

This map created the Daily Mirror shows the location of the crash in comparison to the two schools it was heading for - West Kirby and Caldy Grammar.

M53 school bus crash map (Daily Mirror)

What we know so far

Welcome back to the live blog.

The teenage girl who died after a school coach crashed on the M53 motorway was named by police last night as Jessica Baker.

Emergency services were called shortly after 8am on Friday to reports that a coach had overturned on the northbound M53 near junction five at Hooton, Cheshire.

A total of 58 people were involved in the incident and 15-year-old Jessica and a bus driver died.

Four children were taken to hospital and a 14-year-old boy whose injuries are said to be life-changing is among the injured.

Others were treated at an emergency training centre, with 13 treated for minor injuries before they were released.

The girl's family have issued a photograph of her through Merseyside Police as they requested privacy.

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."

Jessica Baker (PA)

This live blog has now ended

That's all from today. Come back tomorrow for more updates.

Medics 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.

Girl 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.”

Traumatised 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.”

Pupils 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.”

Children forced to jump from smashed windows

Witnesses have told of a scene of devastation after the horror motorway school bus crash that claimed two lives.

Terrified children 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 read more here.

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 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."

(Facebook)

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."

(PA)

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

— Ashville Football Club (@AshvilleFC) September 29, 2023

Tributes to victims of crash

Flowers have been left at West Kirby Grammer School following the crash.

(Liverpool Echo)

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.

Boy, 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.

The 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."

Post-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.

Merseyside 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."

Merseyside 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."

A map of the incident

(Press Association Images)

'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."

MP 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."

Police 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.

M53 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.