A school coach with children on board overturned on the M53 northbound near junction five at Hooton, Cheshire this morning (September 29) and now new images of the incident have been released.
It is thought the bus was going to West Kirby all-girls grammar school and Calday Grange all-boys grammar school, also in West Kirby, Merseyside.
Both Calday Grange Grammar School and West Kirby Grammar School confirmed one of its school buses was involved.
Major incidents declared following school coach crash
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) later declared major incidents following the collision between the coach and a reservation.
In a statement, NWAS said: “The trust despatched a large number of resources to the scene involving ambulances, advanced paramedics, our hazardous area response team and a HEMS (helicopter emergency medical service) doctor.
“So far, one female patient has been taken to the hospital, suffering major trauma-related injuries.
“There are also nearly 50 other patients being assessed at the scene. We are working closely with our incident partners to convey people away from the scene as quickly as possible.”
New pictures of school bus crash scene released
New images show the school coach on its side on the motorway as emergency services work to help the casualties.
A spokesperson for National Highways said: “The closure is expected to remain in place for a considerable time today.
“M53 is closed in both directions due to overturned coach from J5 A41 New Chester Road (Eastham) to J4 A5137 Brimstage Road (Bebington).
“Congestion to surrounding routes between Ellesmere Port and Birkenhead as people look to divert.”
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Alder Hey tweeted: “Our Emergency Department is currently extremely busy and we would also ask parents to only bring their children to the Department if it is urgent.”
A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said: “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 five of the M53.
“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.”
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