A 14-year-old schoolgirl and a coach driver have died after a bus of schoolchildren overturned on the M53 this morning, Merseyside Police have confirmed.

Emergency services attended the scene on the M53 in Hooton following a collision involving a bus on the motorway just after 8am this morning.
 
The bus was carrying pupils from Calday Grange Grammar School and West Kirby Grammar School.

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During a press conference this afternoon, Merseyside Police have confirmed that a 14-year-old schoolgirl and the driver of the bus have died.

Eight pupils are being treated at the Countess of Chester Hospital and Arrowe Park, it was confirmed.

A total of 50 children were taken to an emergency casualty centre in Wallasey. 39 of those have now been discharged. 

The M53 is expected to be closed for a "number of hours" whilst investigations are carried out after the incident.

Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) later declared major incidents, although Alder Hey later de-escalated.