Girl, 15, killed in M53 school coach crash named and pictured | UK News
A teenage girl who tragically died after a school coach crashed on the M53 in Merseyside has been named and pictured.
Jessica Baker, 15, was killed when the vehicle overturned on the motorway in Wirral on Friday morning, police have confirmed.
Her family have released a photo of her this evening following the heartbreaking incident.
The driver of the coach, which had 58 people on board, also died after the vehicle struck the central reservation and toppled over at around 8am.
Police say the families of both young Jessica and the driver are being supported by specially trained officers.
Another pupil, a 14-year-old boy, is in a life-threatening condition in hospital.
He is one of four who were taken directly to the Alder Hey and Arrowe Park hospitals from the scene.
A further 52 people were taken to the emergency services training centre – 39 of which were discharged with no need for further treatment and 13 were treated for minor injuries and released.
The bus was carrying children to the Calday Grange Grammar and West Kirby grammar schools in the area when the collision happened.
A witness described how a number of kids in school uniform were ‘escaping from the back window’ in the aftermath.
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital had declared a major incident earlier on Friday due to the potential for large numbers of injuries, however it was stood down later in the day.
Local policing superintendent Sabi Kaur said: ‘This was a truly horrific incident and the impact on this will have been felt far and wide not only in Wirral but across Merseyside.
‘Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of the girl and the bus driver as well as with those who have been impacted by this incident and we will do everything we can to support them in the coming days and weeks.
‘We would ask anyone who witnessed the collision or believes they have captured something significant to contact us as a matter of urgency.
‘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.’
Junctions 3-5 of the M53 remain closed in both directions since the crash and police said the road will be shut ‘for a considerable time while investigations continue’.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes.
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