Summary

  • A 14-year-old girl and the driver of a school bus that overturned on the M53 in Wirral have died, police confirm

  • Officers say they received a report at 08:00 BST that a bus had struck a reservation on junction 5 of the motorway

  • Two children are in a "serious condition" in Alder Hey Children's Hospital, while eight more were taken to two other hospitals

  • Calday Grange Grammar School and West Kirby Grammar School says they are supporting students and families after their shared bus overturned

  • The local council says it will be offering support to schools and the wider community

  • The M53 is closed in both directions between junction 5 at Ellesmere Port and junction 4 at Bebington

Live Reporting

Edited by Dulcie Lee and Sam Hancock

  1. Birkenhead MP Mick Whitley offers support after 'terrible incident'

    In a post on X, Labour MP for Birkenhead Mick Whitley said: "My thoughts are with everyone who's been affected by the terrible incident on the M53.

    "Please keep clear of the area and allow the emergency services to do their work.

    "If you're a Birkenhead constituent who's been affected, I will do whatever I can to support you."

  2. Two air ambulances in attendance

    A spokesperson for the North West Air Ambulance said: "We can confirm that the North West Air Ambulance Charity was called to an incident on the M53 earlier today, two of our resources have attended."

  3. Bus struck a reservation, police say
    Breaking

    In a statement, Merseyside Police said it received a report a bus had struck a reservation on Junction 5 of the motorway just after 08:00BST.

    Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternative routes.

    The force asked people to remain patient while the incident is ongoing.

  4. Two schools confirm their school bus involved

    Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Calday Grange Grammar School, based in West Kirby, earlier confirmed that one of their school buses was involved in the crash this morning and it was "assisting students and families".

    A separate post from West Kirby Grammar School has also confirmed that one of its vehicles was involved in an accident this morning.

    "We are aware of a situation involving one of our school buses on the motorway earlier today," it says.

    "We're actively gathering details and assisting affected students and their familes."

    According to the schools' websites, the service carries pupils from both schools.

  5. Coach travelling to two schools when it overturned - councillor

    The coach was travelling to two different schools when it overturned on the M53 this morning, according to a local councillor.

    Posting on Facebook, Sherin Akhtar said the coach was bound for both Calday Grange Grammar School and West Kirby Grammar School.

    Akhtar says she will try to offer an update as soon as possible.

    She also said children were being taken to Arrowe Park Hospital "as a precautionary measure".

  6. Ambulances and fire engines at the scene

    Here is an image of the scene this morning shared by local councillor Sherin Aktar.

    Scene of bus crash on the M53Sherin Aktar

  7. One female patient taken to hospital with major injuries so far - ambulance service

    One female patient has been taken to hospital so far with major injuries, according to the North West Ambulance Service. Fifty people are being assessed at the scene.

  8. Developing situation on the M53

    A school coach has overturned on a motorway in the Wirral, in North West England, with an air ambulance called to the scene.

    The incident, on the M53, occurred shortly after 08:00 BST.

    Calday Grange Grammar School, based in West Kirby, confirmed one of their school buses was involved and it was assisting students and families.

    This news is breaking and the situation is developing quickly.

    Stay with us for the latest updates.