M53 crash: Girl, 14, and driver killed after school bus overturns

A 14-year-old girl and a coach driver have died after a motorway crash involving a school bus and a car.
The coach overturned on the M53 in Wirral, Merseyside, shortly after 08:00 BST.
Merseyside Police confirmed the bus had been taking pupils to Calday Grange Grammar School in West Kirby and West Kirby Grammar School.

Emergency services said 54 people were onboard when the bus hit a motorway reservation.
Joanne Clague, area director for North West Ambulance Service, told a press conference two children were taken from the scene to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool with serious injuries. Fifty children were taken to a casualty clearing centre in Wallasey, she said.

Ch Supt Graeme Robson, of Merseyside Police, said eight children had been transferred from the clearing centre to the Countess of Chester and Arrowe Park hospitals.
Merseyside Police said the motorway was due to remain closed for some time while an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash continued.

Alder Hey Children's Hospital and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) earlier declared major incidents, although Alder Hey later stood down.
Ch Supt Robson said officers were providing specialist support to the families involved and were also working with the two schools and locals councils.
He added: "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."

Source BBC

Police appeal.

We can confirm that emergency services are on the M53 in Hooton following a collision involving a bus on the motorway.
 
Just after 8am we received a report that a bus had struck a reservation on Junction 5 of the M53.
 
Junctions 3-5 of the M53 are closed in both directions. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service is currently ensuring the safe removal of passengers and the driver, and North West Ambulance Service are at the scene attending to anyone requiring treatment.
 
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternative routes, and we advise people to remain patient while the incident is ongoing.

Enquiries are ongoing and updates will be issued as soon as possible. 
 
Please note this incident is ongoing and we are urging people to refrain from speculating or publishing any sensitive information that could be distressing online or via social media platforms. 
 
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage or CCTV is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC quoting 23000944471.
 
You can also call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information-online/