A school coach carrying children to West Kirby Grammar School overturned on the M53 in Wirral, Merseyside, on September 29, 2023, and two hospitals and an ambulance service declared major incidents within hours.
Police said the coach struck a motorway reservation shortly after 08:00 BST. The North West Ambulance Service reported that one female patient had been taken to hospital with “major trauma-related injuries.” Nearly 50 other people were being assessed at the roadside. “We are working closely with our incident partners to convey people away from the scene,” the service said.
Two air ambulances were sent to the stretch between junction 4 at Bebington and junction 5 in Hooton. The road was shut in both directions, with diversions in place and drivers told to stay away.
Hospital and school respond
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool declared its own major incident and said it was treating “a number of” injured people. Its emergency department was extremely busy. The hospital asked parents to bring children in only if the matter was urgent, and said all other appointments and services were running as normal.
West Kirby Grammar School said it knew of an incident “involving the W3 bus service.” Staff were gathering details and helping affected students and families, and the school was in contact with the bus provider and the emergency services. It asked people to keep its telephone lines clear so that communication could continue.
Health workers who had been on strike returned to work to help after the crash, according to Unison. A spokesperson for the union said: “Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this terrible incident.”
Political reaction
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said on X that she was “extremely concerned” and in contact with the local authority. Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said he was “grateful to our emergency services” and urged the public to keep clear so crews could work. To any Birkenhead constituent affected, he promised: “I will do whatever I can to support you.”
