M53 bus crash: School coach driver named as Stephen Shrimpton

The school coach driver who died in a crash on a motorway was a "loving husband and father", his family said.

Stephen Shrimpton, 40, and passenger Jessica Baker, 15, died after the vehicle overturned on the M53 in Wirral on Friday, Merseyside Police said.

Four others were taken to hospital for treatment, including a 14-year-old boy with life-changing injuries. They remain in a stable condition.

Thirteen passengers also suffered minor injuries.

In a GoFundMe fundraiser for his funeral, Mr Shrimpton's family said he had suffered a medical issue while driving.

He was "a caring and thoughtful man who would always prioritise others over himself," his family said.

"Stephen will be sadly missed by all his friends and family. The family have requested privacy at this devastating time."

The Port Grocery food bank, based in Ellesmere Port, said Mr Shrimpton had been a volunteer and later a full-time staff member during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a tribute on social media, they said he helped to keep "over 700 people fed during those unprecedented times".

"Steve was a character with compassion and willingness to help and support strangers and would talk for England," they said.

"He will be sadly missed and it is an honour to have him as part of our family team. Goodnight, God bless... fly high big man."

The coach had been carrying more than 50 students from West Kirby Grammar School and Calday Grange Grammar School when the collision occurred at about 08:00 BST on Friday, near junction 5 at Hooton.

Police said post-mortem examinations are due to be conducted next week to establish the cause of both deaths.

Pupils and parents have been leaving messages around a tribute tree set up at Jessica's school.

The coach had been in a convoy of buses carrying other students, who saw the collision.

Det Sgt Andy Roper, from Merseyside Police, said: "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."

One woman, whose granddaughter attends West Kirby Grammar School, told BBC North West Tonight: "She gets the coach in from north Wales every day. I spoke to her last night and I was very moved by the fact that she was just saying, you know, you should always make sure you say goodbye in the morning properly and I think that's what we've been left feeling very much."

Another man said: "It's a real tragedy for the whole area and I think the whole area will feel it deeply for a long time."

Supt Sabi Kaur described it as a "truly horrific incident" and appealed for witnesses and anyone with footage to contact police.

"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."

Labour MP for Wirral West Margaret Greenwood said the broader community was devastated.

"People are really in a state of shock," she said, and expressed her condolences to the families of those who died.

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