In a heartbreaking incident on the M53, the bus driver involved in the crash near Hooton has been identified as Stephen Shrimpton. The crash occurred shortly after 08.00 on Friday, involving a bus carrying 58 people, including students from Calday Grange Grammar School and West Kirby Grammar School for Girls.

Tragically, schoolgirl Jessica Baker, 15, also lost her life in the incident. The bus overturned between J4 and J5 on the Wirral, leading to a devastating outcome for the passengers on board.

Helicopter footage captured the aftermath of the crash, revealing the severity of the incident. The heartbreaking incident prompted the creation of a GoFundMe page by Stephen Shrimpton’s family to raise funds for his funeral. The organiser, Emily Church, Stephen’s sister-in-law, noted in the fundraiser’s description that he experienced “medical issues at the wheel.”

Paying tribute to Stephen, Church shared, “He’s sadly left behind my sister who’s now a widow in her early 30s, and unfortunately a single mum alongside his much-loved two young children who are only eight and four, who are going to grow up without their beloved father. Any donations to this unexpected circumstance would be much appreciated to give Stephen a funeral he deserves.”

The crash resulted in four children being hospitalised, with a 14-year-old boy sustaining life-changing injuries. Thirteen others were treated for minor injuries at an emergency training centre before being released.

Sabi Kaur, Local Policing Superintendent for Merseyside Police, urged witnesses or anyone with significant information about the collision to come forward urgently. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with authorities seeking to understand the circumstances that led to this tragic event.