Coach flips over in huge crash on M53 during rush hour

‘Praying for the children’: Rush hour horror as school bus carrying pupils flips over, sparking huge rescue operation as police and ambulance rush to the scene

A school bus has overturned in a serious crash on the M53 with fears children have been injured in the collision. 

Witnesses say children were escaping from the back window and are standing on the hard shoulder as a huge emergency response is underway in the Merseyside area. 

According to the local councillor for Upton By Chester, Sherin Akhtar, the crash involves children from Calday Grange Grammar School and West Kirby Grammar School for girls. 

She said pupils were being taken to The Wirral’s Arrowe Park hospital ‘as a precaution’. 

A shocking photo shows a damaged coach completely on its side in the road, along the M53 junction 5 northbound.

A witness said children were escaping out of the back window after the crash on the M53

According to the local councillor for Upton By Chester, Sherin Akhtar, the crash involves children from Calday Grange Grammar School and West Kirby Grammar School for girls

Calday Grammar School in the Wirral said they are aware of a situation involving one of their school buses on the motorway earlier today. 

In a tweet the school wrote: ‘We’re actively gathering details and assisting affected students and their families.

‘If you need to talk or seek guidance, please reach out to our teaching and pastoral teams.’

Ms Akhtar posted a statement on Facebook which reads: ‘I can confirm and am aware of an accident on the M53 this morning going towards the Wirral/ Birkenhead. 

‘It involves a Carvers coach (W3) travelling to Calday Grange Grammar School and West Kirby Grammar school for girls.

‘Whilst this is a live situation, I would like to assure residents that I am working on their behalf and offer support and will endeavour to update, as soon as possible.

‘I am aware that children are being taken to Arrowe Park as precautionary.’

Calday Grammar School in the Wirral said they are aware of a situation involving one of their school buses on the motorway earlier today

Merseyside Police has tweeted: ‘Emergency services are dealing with an RTC along the M53 junction 5 northbound. Please avoid this area and find an alternative route.’

At least 10 police vehicles, four fire engines and five ambulances are said to be at the scene this morning. 

A witness who tweeted a photo showing a bus lying on its side wrote: ‘Crash on the M53 towards Liverpool just after J5. Coach on the side with school kids escaping for the back window.

‘Hope all the kids got out ok.’

Another said: ‘Drove past that was awful to see all the kids standing on the hard shoulder.’

‘Praying for them kids on the M53,’ another added.  

MailOnline has contacted Merseyside Police and the North West Ambulance Service for comment.  

More follows.  

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