A 14-year-old girl and a school bus driver have died after the vehicle overturned on a motorway in Merseyside, police have said.

It comes after major incidents were declared following “a number of casualties”, emergency services said earlier.

A total of 54 people were on the bus – many were assessed at the scene on the M53.

North West Ambulance Service, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and Arrowe Park Hospital declared a “major incident” following the collision between the coach and a car.

Calday Grange all-boys grammar school and West Kirby all-girls grammar school confirmed one of its school buses was involved in the incident.

A further two patients were taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital with serious injuries, while a number of other patients were taken to surrounding hospitals for treatment of minor injuries, a spokesperson for North West Ambulance Service said.

A total of 50 children were transported to a casualty clearing centre at the emergency services training centre in Wallasey.

Of those, 39 have been discharged while the remainder have been taken to hospital for further treatment.

Firefighters helped passengers exit the schoolbus, Mark Thomas, area manager of Merseyside Fire and Rescue service, said.

“Firefighters worked with emergency services colleagues at the scene to stabilise the vehicle. We ensured the scene was safe, and we assisted casualties exiting the bus,” he said.

“Working jointly with our police and ambulance colleagues, shortly after we were able to assist the casualties onto a second coach to receive care away from the scene.

“Our operations are currently scaling down, and currently we stay at the scene, in attendance, to preserve the scene with Merseyside Police whilst an investigation is conducted.

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Children’s hospital A&E ‘extremely busy’

Alder Hey Children’s Hospital declared a major incident but this has now been “de-escalated”.

It said its accident and emergency department “remains extremely busy”, adding: “Please only attend in cases of emergency.”

Health Secretary Steve Barclay posted on X, formerly Twitter: “I am being kept updated on the unfolding incident on the M53 and would like to thank everyone @AlderHey Children’s Hospital caring for those injured.”

The motorway has been closed in both directions between junctions 3 and 5 and diversions are in place.

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In separate statements on X, Calday Grange Grammar School and West Kirby Grammar School said: “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.”

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