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

No other vehicle was understood to be involved in the crash, according to the PA news agency.

Earlier, it was reported the school bus, which belonged to Carvers Coaches based in Ellesmere Port, had hit a car.

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.”

Police were guarding a bridge over the M53:

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Wirral council says it is working closely with schools affected by a fatal crash between a schoolbus and a car on the M53.

Simone White, director for children, families, and education at Wirral Council, said: “Council staff are working closely with the schools, and have been doing so since they were informed of the incident this morning.

“I’m sure everybody will understand that for the moment, our focus - and the focus of the schools - is in supporting the pupils, families, and wider school community who will have all been affected by this incident.

“As a council, we will continue to work with other local areas and all those who are affected as we wish to provide support and assistance as needed to the families who have been involved in this.”

Joanne Clague, area director for North West Ambulance Service and Merseyside, said 50 children were taken to a casualty clearing centre at the emergency service training centre in Wallasey but that 39 children had been discharged.

The remaining children were taken to hospital for further treatment.

“Assessments have taken place by our clinicians at the emergency service centre and patients there are being discharged, as I say, into the care of their parents and a small number taken to hospital for further treatment,” she said.

“I would like to thank our emergency services colleagues for their support in ensuring that the scene was safe so we were able to identify the most seriously injured while safeguarding all those involved in this incident.

“Again, I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of those affected.”

Ambulances, top clinicians, an emergency doctor and hazardous area response teams were all sent to the crash.

Joanne Clague, area director for North West Ambulance Service and Merseyside, said a major incident was declared.

She told journalists: “This was due to the potential number of casualties involved.

“As a result, we sent a substantial number of ambulances, senior clinicians and our hazardous area response teams. A critical care doctor was also dispatched to the scene.

“Tragically, we can confirm that there were two fatalities as a result of this crash.

“A further two patients were taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital with serious injuries.

“In addition, we have taken a number of patients to surrounding hospitals to be treated for minor injuries.”

Schoolchildren were on buses travelling in convoy with the school coach that crashed.

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

“Our thoughts and condolences are very much with their family and friends at this tragic time.

“Family liaison officers are providing specialist support to both families and we are working with the schools, Wirral Council and Cheshire West Council to ensure the necessary trauma support is in place for the children on the bus.

“We also know that other children from both schools were on buses travelling in convoy with the bus involved and they witnessed the incident and they too will be provided with specialist trauma support.”

Firefighters helped passengers get off the bus after it overturned.

Mark Thomas, area manager of Merseyside Fire and Rescue service, told reporters: “Firefighters worked with emergency services colleagues at scene to stabilise the vehicle. We ensured the scene was safe, and we assisted casualties exiting the bus.

“Working jointly with our police and ambulance colleagues, shortly after we were able to assist the casualties onto a second coach to receive care away from the scene.

“Our operations are currently scaling down, and currently we stay at the scene, in attendance, to preserve the scene with Merseyside Police whilst an investigation is conducted.

“The thoughts of everyone at Merseyside Police Fire and Rescue Service are with the friends, the colleagues, and the families of all of those involved in this terrible incident.”

Police say the M53 is expected to be closed for several more hours whilst investigations are carried out.

“We would like to thank motorists for their patience while the investigation is ongoing,” said Chief Superintendent Graeme Robson, of Merseyside Police.

Chf Supt Robson continued: “Two children were taken from the scene to Alder Hey Hospital. Fifty other children were taken to an emergency training centre where they were medically assessed and eight of those children have been taken to the Countess of Chester and Arrowe Park hospitals. Our thoughts and condolences are very much with their family and friends at this present time.

“Family liason officers are providing specialist support to both families and we are working with the schools, Wirral Council and Cheshire West Council to ensure the necessary trauma support is in place for the children on the bus

“We also know that other children from both schools were on buses travelling in convoy with the bus involved in the incident and they witnessed the incident and they too will be provided with specialist trauma support.”