A 15-year-old schoolgirl and a coach driver have died after a motorway crash involving a school bus and a car, Merseyside Police said.
Emergency services were called on Friday shortly after 8am to reports of an overturned coach on the northbound M53 near to junction five at Hooton, Cheshire.
It is thought the bus was en route 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.
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) later declared major incidents following the collision between the coach and a car.
Chief Superintendent Graeme Robson, head of local policing for Wirral, told a media conference on Friday afternoon: “Emergency services were called to reports of an overturned bus on the M53 at jsut after 8am this morning. 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, and sadly I can confirm that the driver and a 15-year-old school girl have died.”
A further two patients were taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital with serious injuries, while a number of other patients were taken to surrounding hospitals for treatment to minor injuries, North West Ambulance Service said.
In a statement, Alder Hey said: “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.”
Earlier, NWAS said: “The trust despatched a large number of resources to the scene involving ambulances, advanced paramedics, our hazardous area response team and a HEMS (helicopter emergency medical service) doctor.”
A total of 50 children were transported to a casualty clearing centre at the emergency services training centre in Wallasey. Of those, 39 have now been discharged while the remainder have been taken to hospital for further treatment.
In separate tweets, Calday Grange and West Kirby grammar schools posted: “We are aware of a situation involving one of our school buses on the motorway earlier today.
“We’re actively gathering details and assisting affected students and their families.”
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.”
