A 14-year-old schoolgirl and a coach driver have died after a motorway crash involving a school bus and a car in a national news story dominating headlines today. Merseyside Police announced the news at around 2.40pm today, Friday, September 29.
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital had declared a major incident following the school bus crash on the M53 in the Wirral. A woman was rushed to hospital with serious injuries after the collision. A total of 50 others were assessed at the scene, ambulance officials said.
Emergency services were dispatched to the scene shortly after 8am today, Friday, September 29. It followed reports of an overturned coach on the northbound M53 near junction five at Hooton, Cheshire.
It is being reported that the bus was on its way to West Kirby all-girls grammar school and Calday Grange all-boys grammar school, also in West Kirby, Merseyside. Both Calday Grange Grammar School and West Kirby Grammar School confirmed one of its school buses was involved.
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) later declared a major incident following the collision between the coach and a car. There are reports the bus struck a reservation at junction 5 of the motorway.
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Two people dead - police
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.
This is the end of today's coverage
Our thoughts are with those families in mourning today. Dreadful news. RIP
Two children were taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital
Chief Superintendent Graeme Robson has told a press conference: “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.”
Alder Hey issues new statement as it 'de-escalates' the incident
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital said it has now “de-escalated” from a major incident following the crash on the M53. In a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, the hospital said: “We’ve now de-escalated from a major incident, however our A&E remains extremely busy. Please only attend in cases of emergency.”
The hospital said anyone with an appointment on Friday should attend as normal.
Local MP voices concerns
Labour MP Dame Angela Eagle, who represents Wallasey, said her thoughts were with those impacted.
“I’m sure over the coming days we will find out what actually has happened with this crash and we will find out more information.
“My thoughts are with all of those who have pupils at both schools and their families and also with the emergency services who have been having to respond to this incident as it has unfolded today,” she told BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme.
A 'number of patients' being treated at Alder Hey
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital said it was treating “a number of patients” following the school bus crash. A statement on its website read: “We can confirm that we are treating a number of patients following the incident this morning.
“We will continue to support and liaise with families directly and are unable to share any further details of individual patients at this time.”
Emergency service crews at the scene
Pictures coming in from the Press Association show the coach on its side as well as broken glass on the road. There are also multiple 999 workers at the scene.
The bus on its side in a photo from overhead from the Press Association
Police at the scene this morning
Scene of bus on its side
Police called just before 8am
Merseyside Police said it was called at just after 8am to reports a bus had struck a reservation at junction 5 of the motorway.
The force said: “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.”
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.
Ambulance service statement
A statement from the North West Ambulance Service said: “North West Ambulance Service has declared a major incident following a road traffic collision between a coach and a car on the M53 northbound at approximately 08.30 this morning.
“The trust dispatched a large number of resources to the scene, including ambulances, advanced paramedics, our Hazardous Area Response Team and a HEMS doctor.
“So far, one female patient has been taken to the hospital, suffering major trauma-related injuries.
“There are also nearly 50 other patients being assessed at the scene. We are working closely with our incident partners to convey people away from the scene as quickly as possible.”
Hospital 'extremely busy'
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital said it had declared a major incident following the crash on the M53.
The hospital added: “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.”
