School bus driver who died after M53 crash named in reports

The driver of a school bus who died after the vehicle crashed on a motorway has been named in reports as Stephen Shrimpton.

A 15-year-old girl, Jessica Baker, also died after the coach overturned on the northbound M53 near junction five at Hooton, Cheshire, at around 8am on Friday.

A total of 58 people were involved in the incident, including the two fatalities.

Tribute was 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”.

The page names him as Stephen, but does not give a second name.

Jessica’s family issued a photograph of her on Friday evening 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.”

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.