M53 bus crash – latest: Coach driver killed was father of 2 as family say he suffered ‘medical issue’ at wheel

The family of the bus driver who died after a school coach crashed on a motorway have paid tribute to him as a “loving husband and father”.

Stephen Shrimpton, 40, was one of two fatalities after the coach overturned on the northbound M53 near junction five at Hooton, Cheshire, at around 8am on Friday.

Ellie Ng reports:

Police say post-mortem examinations will be carried out next week to establish the cause of death of the two people who were killed in the crash.

A total of 58 people were involved in the incident.

Four children who were taken to hospital – including a 14-year-old boy whose injuries are said to be life-changing – are in stable conditions, according to police.

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

Mourners have been laying flowers at West Kirby Grammar School following a coach crash that killed two people in Merseyside, Zander Butler reports.

Jessica Barker, 15 and Stephen Shrimpton, a father of two, have been named as the deceased after the bus overturned on the M25 motorway near Hooton.

The vehicle was taking pupils from two grammar schools - West Kirby Grammer and Calday Grange - to school when it crashed.

Police were present at West Kirby Grammar this morning, which has opened to allow parents and children to pay tribute.

One woman, with a yellow umbrella, appeared with a bouquet of flowers. Another man, and a younger boy, walked up to the school with two dogs and three sunflowers.

Stephen Shrimpton has been described as a “loving husband and father” by his family in a tribute.

“Stephen sadly passed away in a traffic accident,” the family said in a statement.

“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.”

A Merseyside Police boss was visibly emotional as he delivered a press conference confirming the death of two people in a school bus crash on the M53 on Friday, Lucy Neeson reports.

Chief Superintendent Graeme Robson said: “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. 50 other children were taken to an emergency training centre where they were medically assessed. Eight have been taken to the Countess of Chester and Arrowe Park Hospital.”

Mr Robson added: “Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends at this tragic time.”

He confirmed all children who witnessed the crash will be given specialist trauma support.

Watch the clip by following the link below:

The driver killed in the crash has been named online as a “beloved” father of two who may have suffered “medical issues behind the wheel”, according to his family.

Tribute was paid to Stephen Shrimpton by his sister-in-law Emily Church, who set up a Gofundme page to help raise funds for his funeral.

She said he had died in the accident on the motorway “while driving students to school” and had left behind a widow in her 30s as well as two “much loved” young children, aged eight and four.

As of Saturday morning nearly £8,000 had been raised from 579 donors.

“He tragically died in an accident on the M53 on the morning on the 29th of September, after suffering medical issues at the wheel while driving students to school,” Ms Church wrote on the page.

“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 who are only 8 and 4, who are going to grow up without their beloved father.”

A 14-year-old boy suffered life-changing injuries in yesterday’s crash, which saw other injured children climbing out of windows to safety.

Two people have died in the incident, which happened at around 8.30am near junction 5 of the M25 heading towards Liverpool.

Witnesses said children escaped from the back window and were standing on the hard shoulder after the bus overturned and hit a reservation.

The coach driver who died in yesterday’s crash was a father of two, a family member has said online.

Stephen Shrimpton has been named online as one of the two people who died when a coach crashed on the M53 motorway in Merseyside.

“He’s sadly left behind my sister…a single mum…alongside much loved two young children who are only 8 and 4, who are going to grow up without their beloved father,” the family member wrote online.

Merseyside Police is calling on anyone who witnessed the coach crash or has dashcam footage to contact them.

In total 58 people were involved in the incident, including the two fatalities. That includes 14 year-old boy who has suffered life changing injuries and remains in hospital.

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.

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.”

The driver who died in the coach crash has been named online by his family as Stephen Shrimpton.

A family member set up a Gofundme page to help raise funds for Mr Shrimpton’s funeral.

The family member said the coach driver had suffered “medical issues at the while” while driving students to school.