TODAY (Sunday, September 29) marks one year since the death of a Wirral schoolgirl and bus driver following a bus crash on the M53.
On Friday, September 29, 2023, a coach carrying pupils from West Kirby and Calday Grange Grammar Schools overturned on the northbound M53 near to junction five at Hooton.
15-year-old West Kirby Grammar School student Jessica Baker and the coach driver, 40-year-old, Stephen Shrimpton were tragically killed as a result.
Pupils from Calday Grange and West Kirby Grammar Schools were travelling in convoy when the bus overturned carrying 54 people on board.
Merseyside Police said a total of 58 people were involved in the incident including the two fatalities.
During an inquest opening into the deaths, Andre Rebello, senior coroner for Liverpool and the Wirral, said CCTV footage from inside the coach showed Mr Shrimpton slump to his left while driving the coach, which at the same time left the carriageway and went up an embankment before ending up on its side.
Jessica, from Chester, was a passenger along with around 50 other youngsters on the bus taking her to West Kirby Grammar School where she was a Year 11 pupil.
Mr Rebello said it was “miraculous” no one else was killed.
The inquest hearing was told Mr Shrimpton, a dad of two, was pronounced dead at the scene at 8.50am and formally identified by his wife Tania Shrimpton.
Jessica was also pronounced dead at the roadside at 9.01am, and identified by her father, a nurse, Mr Sean Baker.
A statement released by Jessica’s family at the time of the incident described her as “talented and dedicated”.
It read: “The family of 15-year-old Jessica Baker who sadly died following a road traffic collision on the M53 in Wirral on Friday 29th September would like to thank everyone for their very kind comments and offers of support during this extremely difficult time.
“Jessica was a talented and dedicated climber who competed over the last seven years of her life across the UK representing both the North West and Wales.
“Jessica loved all sports and chose GCSE PE as one of her options, but her overriding passion was for both indoor and outdoor climbing.
“Despite being a teenager, Jessica was able to communicate with everyone she came into contact with regardless of their age. She was often seen offering support to fellow climbers on how to achieve a problem/route they were trying to complete.
“Jessica was planning to explore a career in sport in some way and was due to begin her coaching qualifications later this year towards this goal.
“In memory of Jessica an online ‘MuchLoved’ loved page has been set up to allow people to share their pictures/videos and thoughts of Jessica for the family to keep. Through the link below you can also donate in Jessica’s memory to “Climbers Against Cancer”, a charity that was close to her heart. https://jessicabaker.muchloved.com/.”
A tribute from Stephen Shrimpton’s family at the time read: “Stephen sadly passed away in a traffic accident.
“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.
“Stephen will be sadly missed by all his friends and family.”
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