A coach used as a school bus crashed on the M53 motorway in Merseyside on Friday morning, killing several people.
The bus is believed to have been booked before overturning on the M53 near Liverpool while transporting pupils to two schools in the Wirral, Calday Grange Grammar and West Kirby Grammar.
One driver tweeted a photo of the car lying on its side and described several children in school uniforms “escaping out the back window”.
Traffic came to a standstill in both directions as emergency crews worked for more than two hours to rescue the remaining passengers.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service initially said there had been “a number of casualties” but did not immediately confirm their severity. North West Ambulance Service later confirmed a female patient had been taken to hospital with “serious injuries related to trauma”.
“Nearly 50 other patients are also being evaluated on site,” the statement added.
Calday Grange Grammar School in Birkenhead.
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital declared a major incident following the accident.
It says:
“Our emergency department is extremely busy at the moment and we also ask parents to only bring their children to the department in an emergency.”
Another Twitter user who claimed to have come across the “terrifying” scene said they saw “children standing on stiff shoulders”. Local councilor Sherin Akhtar said the bus would go to two different schools in the Wirral, Calday Grange Grammar and West Kirby Grammar.
Both schools said they were “aware of the situation” and were “actively gathering details and supporting affected students and their families.”
About 10 police cars, 4 fire trucks, 5 ambulances and an air ambulance were dispatched to the scene.
Merseyside Police said the incident happened near Junction 5 northbound and the M53 is “likely to be closed for a period of time” in both directions between Junction 5 and Junction 4.
In a statement, the force added:
“We can confirm that emergency services are in attendance on the M53 at Hooton following a collision involving a bus on the motorway. “Shortly after 8am, we received reports that a bus had crashed into the reserve at Junction 5 of the M53 road. Junctions 3 to 5 of the M53 are closed in both directions.
“Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service is currently ensuring the safe evacuation of passengers and drivers, and North West Ambulance Service is at the scene to assist anyone requiring treatment.
“Motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes, and we advise people to be patient while the incident continues. Investigations are ongoing and updates will be published as soon as possible. “Please note that this incident is ongoing and we urge people to refrain from speculating or posting any sensitive information that could cause concern online or through social media platforms.”