Coach driver and schoolgirl, 14, killed after bus overturned on M53 in major incident
‘Number of casualties’ reported and major incident declared after coach full of school children overturns on M53
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A school girl, 14, and a bus driver have died after a coach and a car crashed on the M53 this morning.
Eight other children were taken to the Countess of Chester and Arrowe Park Hospitals - and other children were treated at the scene.
Two more are being treated for serious injuries.
One woman suffered "major trauma-related injuries", whilst 50 people were assessed at the scene.
54 people were believed to have been travelling on the coach.
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Wirral University Teaching Hospital has declared a major incidents, and have encouraged parents not to take their children to hospital unless it is urgent.
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital said it has “de-escalated” after declaring a major incident earlier on Friday.
The Liverpool hospital said: “We’ve now de-escalated from a major incident, however our A&E remains extremely busy. Please only attend in cases of emergency.
“If you have an appointment at Alder Hey, please still attend as normal.”
The bus was heading northbound when it flipped, somewhere between Chester and Brimstage Roade, near to J5.
The crash happened at around 8am this morning (September 29).
A witness posted a photo of the crash online, with the caption: "Crash on the M53 towards Liverpool just after J5. Coach on the side with school kids escaping for the back window."
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Emergency services were quickly dispatched to the scene
The bus was carrying students from Calday Grammar School and West Kirby Grammar School.
Calday Grammar and West Kirby released separate statements on social media about the incident, both saying: "We are aware of a situation involving one of our school buses on the motorway earlier today.
"We're actively gathering details and assisting affected students and their families."
An air ambulance is on the scene.
A stretch of the motorway remains closed as emergency services attend to the scene.
National Highways North-West posted on social media: "The #M53 is now closed in both directions between J5 #Hooton and J4 #Clatterbridge following a serious incident.
The affected route
Twitter/National Highways: North-West
"Please plan ahead of your journey today and consider alternative routes."
A spokesperson from Cheshire police has warned people to avoid the area, as all traffic is currently being held.
The road is likely to be closed for "some time".
National Highways Traffic Officers are also at the scene providing assistance with traffic management.
A spokesperson for Cheshire police said: "The M53 is closed northbound between J5 Hooton and J4 Clatterbridge and is likely to remain closed for some time. Please avoid the area and follow any diversions signposted."
A witness at the scene said: "Drove past that was awful to see all the kids standing on the hard shoulder."
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