Pupil hurt in M53 coach crash that killed two recalls seeing 'blood everywhere'

01 October 2023 , 22:33

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Pupil hurt in M53 coach crash that killed two recalls seeing 'blood everywhere'

An injured victim of the M53 coach crash has spoken out on the harrowing ordeal, recalling "blood everywhere".

The tragic crash caused two deaths, 15-year-old school girl Jessica Baker and the 40-year-old driver of the coach, Stephen Shrimpton. It took place at 8am on Friday near junction five in Hooton, Cheshire.

58 other people were on the coach the majority of which were children - four of whom were taken to hospital, including one 14-year-old boy with allegedly life-changing injuries. 13 were treated for minor injuries after the incident.

One anonymous student speaking to Sky News has shared how there was “blood everywhere” and “people lying down everywhere”. Those on the bus are believed to be students or teachers from West Kirby all-girls grammar school and Calday Grange all-boys grammar school.

Jessica Baker, 15, the teenage girl who died in the school coach crashed (PA)

The boy said: "I looked around and there's just people lying down everywhere. Bags are everywhere. There's glass everywhere. And it's just like blood, everywhere. I've seen both my mates on the floor, but I thought they were dead. I looked around again and saw a girl stood next to me.

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"I was in shock. I put my hand on my face and I looked back at my hand and it was covered in blood. I remember saying, like: 'This can't be my blood.'" In a heartrending statement put out earlier today through Merseyside Police, Jessica’s family described her as a “warm-hearted, wonderful daughter, granddaughter and niece, devoted sister and loyal friend”.

Stephen Shrimpton sadly died in the crash (Facebook)

The statement read: "A talented climber, based at the Boardroom Climbing Centre academy where she helped coach younger climbers and competed around the country inspiring others. At the age of 15, just starting Year 11 at West Kirby Grammar School, where her focus was not just on academic work but also sports, representing the school at many events.

"Her untimely death has led to a massive void in our lives that will never be filled. She will be missed by many, from not only school but also the climbing community across the country."

The boy recalled seeing "blood everywhere" (SKY NEWS)

The sister-in-law of driver Stephen Shrimpton yesterday said: “He’s sadly left behind my sister who’s now a widow in her early thirties, and unfortunately a single mum alongside his much loved two young children, only 8 and 4, who are going to grow up without their beloved father.”

An investigation into this incident is ongoing and officers are still appealing for witnesses and dash-cam footage. Anyone with information about the collision is asked to call the Matrix Serious Collision Investigation Unit on (0151) 777 5747 or [email protected] or contact @MerPolCC on Twitter or Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook quoting reference 23000944471.

Alex Croft