Staff are accompanying students on their journeys to and from school after a bus crash on the M53 killed one of their peers.

West Kirby Grammar School pupil Jessica Baker, 15, and coach driver Stephen Shrimpton, 40, died after the school bus overturned near Hooton in Cheshire at around 8am on Friday.

Four children, including a 14-year-old boy who suffered “life-changing” injuries, were also hurt.

The headteacher of Calday Grange Grammar School, which also had pupils on the bus, said Monday would be a “difficult day” for students and teachers at both schools.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

He told BBC Breakfast of various means of support being offered to combat pupils’ “angst”.

“First of all we have staff travelling on the buses, we thought that was important,” he said.

“There will be obviously angst about travelling to school in the first place. So we are working with West Kirby in terms of staffing the buses.”

Read more from Sky News:
Staff warn officer will be killed at prison
Flying Scotsman to be investigated after crash
Murder probe in Halifax after second man dies

He added that the NHS and police are also providing specialist mental health support at both schools this week.

In a tweet on Monday, he said of the victims: “Both were cherished members of our wider school community, and their absence will be profoundly felt by all who had the privilege of knowing them.”

‘I thought my mates were dead on the floor’

Speaking anonymously, a teenager who survived the crash told Sky News over the weekend how he managed to climb through the smashed window of the vehicle.

“I looked around and there’s just people lying down everywhere. Bags are everywhere,” they said.

“There’s glass everywhere. And it’s just like blood everywhere. I’ve seen both my mates on the floor, but I thought they were dead.

“I looked around again and saw a girl stood next to me. I was in shock, I put my hand on my face. I looked back at my hand and it was covered in blood, I remember saying, this can’t be my blood.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

According to Merseyside Police, 58 people were involved in the crash.

Some of the pupils were taken to nearby hospitals, while others were taken to an emergency services training centre, with 13 treated for minor injuries.

Mr Shrimpton, who was driving the bus, is believed to have suffered “medical issues” at the wheel, his sister-in-law wrote on a crowdfunding page.

Related posts:

Four people from two households able to meet outdoors in Scotland from Friday as lockdown eased Cautious optimism with deaths remaining low despite rising number of cases Three people arrested after police officers slashed in West Bromwich town centre Boy, 13, died after leaving school bus early and jumping off Tower Bridge into Thames No more COVID rules in England before New Year, Javid confirms Charles and Camilla join Big Jubilee Lunch as millions across the UK party on final day of celebrations Queen hologram appears in Gold State Coach during Jubilee pageant British policing has ‘lost its way’ as public fears officers are too ‘woke’ Calls for Notting Hill Carnival to be moved after sex assaults on police officers Ambulance response times worst on record – and A&E waits hit new high Dickie Bird breaks down as he recalls final words with Parkinson day before presenter died Residents evacuated after several cars set on fire