M53 school bus crash: Driver named as family say father-of-two who suffered medical issue behind wheel

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.

Driver Stephen Shrimpton and 15-year-old Jessica Baker lost their lives when the coach overturned on the M53 yesterday.

One Facebook user said: “Friday was a very sad day for the coach industry, rest in piece, the young lady, Jessica and, Stephen, the coach driver, absolute heartbreaking.”

Another shared an old school group photo with Jessica in, saying: “Found this picture this morning,fly high beautiful girl Jessica Baker.”

The family of the coach driver claim he suffered from ‘medical issues behind the wheel’ before the crash.

Stephen Shrimpton, a father-of-two, lost his life when the coach overturned on the M53 yesterday.

Mr Shrimpton’s sister in law Emily shared a touching tribute on a GoFundMe page to raise funds for Mr Shrimpton’s funeral.

She said: “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. “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.”

The horrific crash which overturned a coach on the M53 has taken the lives of a 15-year-old on her way to school and a father-of-two who was in the driver’s seat.

Jessica Baker, 15, was on her way to West Kirby Grammar school when the coach overturned on the northbound M53 near junction five at Hooton, Cheshire at around 8am.

Stephen Shrimpton is a father-of-two who last his life in the crash. He has been described as a ‘loving husband and father’

Tributes continue to pour in for Stephen Shrimpton, the bus driver who was killed in yesterday’s crash.

“When we all pull together we can make a huge difference when it’s most needed,” one person said.

“Our thoughts are with his family,” another wrote.

“Rip Steve worked with you in chester stagecoach . Sleep tight m8,” a third said.

More than £12,000 has been raised in less than a day to help cover the funeral costs of Stephen Shrimpton, the driver who was killed when his bus crashed in Merseyside yesterday morning.

A Gofundmepage was set up by his sister in law Emily Church, who described Mr Shrimpton as a “loving husband and father”. Nearly a thousand donations have been made since the campaign was set up on Friday evening.

“I’m so sorry for your very sad loss,” one donor wrote on the page. “My thoughts and prayers are with dear Stephen’s wife, children and all of his beloved family at this very difficult time. RIP dearest soul”.

Merseyside Police has said the force’s thoughts are with the victims of yesterday’s crash and their families.

Detective Sergeant Andy Roper, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “The thoughts of everyone at Merseyside Police remain with those who were affected by the tragic incident yesterday.

“The families of Stephen and Jessica are being supported by specially trained officers and we are working with both schools and Wirral and Cheshire West councils to ensure the necessary trauma support is in place for the children who were affected.”

NHS workers abandoned their strike to be available to help the injured, Unison North West said.

“We dispersed our picket and members are returning home to be on-call to help,” the union posted on social media.

Long tailbacks built up on the motorway, which was then closed for hours after the crash, causing heavy traffic in other areas.

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.