THE FAMILY of a school bus driver who died alongside a 15-year-old schoolgirl say he “had medical issues at the wheel” during the crash.
Stephen Shrimpton was remembered as a “loving husband and father” after his vehicle overturned on the M53 in Wirral on Friday at 8.30am.
Passenger Jessica Baker, 15, also died in the collision.
Four others were taken to hospital, including a seriously injured 14-year-old boy.
Thirteen people sustained minor injuries.
Who was bus driver Steven Shrimpton?
Steven Shrimpton was a bus driver, father and husband who died in a bus crash on Friday.
The 40-year-old was behind the wheel of a coach carrying dozens of students.
Merseyside Police released a statement on Steven’s family’s behalf which paid tribute to his relationships.
“Stephen was a loving husband and father to his wife and his wonderful children, a caring and thoughtful man who would always prioritise others over himself,” the statement read.
“Stephen will be sadly missed by all his friends and family.”
Sister-in-law Emily Church created a GoFundMe which detailed her relatives’ devastating loss.
“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,” she said.
Ms Church claimed the father-of-two had suffered a medical issue while driving.
“I’m raising some funds for my brother-in-law’s funeral,” the page read.
“He tragically died in an accident on the M53 on the morning of the 29th of September, after suffering medical issues at the wheel while driving students to school.”
What happened in the M53 crash?
The M53 bus crash took place the bus crashed into a car and flipped onto its side after Steven is believed to have suffered a medical issue.
The vehicle was carrying more than 50 students from West Kirby all-girls grammar and Calday Grange all-boys grammar school in Merseyside just after 8am.
Students caught up in the chaos were forced to climb out of the windows of the vehicle escape the wreckage, according to Mail Online.
Student Jessica was the sole other person to die in the crash with her relatives acknowledging the tragedy in a statement.
The statement read: “Jessica’s family have requested that their privacy is respected at this time and any updates from them will be issued via Merseyside Police news office as appropriate.”
A total of 58 people were involved in the incident with 52 attending the emergency services training centre.
In a statement, Merseyside Police confirmed a bus had struck a reservation near Junction 5 and overturned.
“A 14-year-old girl and the bus driver sadly died following the collision,” the statement read.
“Their families are being supported by specially trained officers. Post mortems will be carried out next week to establish the cause of death.
“In total 58 people were involved in the incident. That included two fatalities, two who were taken directly to Alder Hey and two taken to Arrowe Park from the scene. That includes 14 year-old boy who has suffered life changing injuries and remains in hospital.”
